Skip to content

Look in the treetops for cross vine

2011 April 28

PHOTO BY KEN MOORE. You must look up in the treetop for cross-vine flowers.

By Ken Moore
Flora Columnist

Crossing the Haw River in Saxapahaw last week, I glimpsed the flowers of cross vine, Bignonia capreolata, hanging in treetops where they reach for sunlight. Those vines were at peak flower a week or more ahead of the ones scrambling on my deck.

Wondering what early garden writers may have described of this seldom-noticed river-edge vine, a brief search led me to a multi-volume English work with a long descriptive title.

The Botanical Cabinet consisting of Coloured Delineations of Plants from all countries with a short Account of each, Directions for Management, etc. By Conrad Loddiges & Sons. The Plates by George Cooke.

“Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

There was great enthusiasm for new plans from America and other exotic places.

The introduction from Vol. 1, 1815 is worth sharing:

“We purpose to give such a representation of each plant as shall directly lead to what we may call a first-sight acquaintance with it; also some account of those peculiar qualities which any of them may be known to possess, a few hints on their cultivation, and any other remarks which may be thought interesting.”

Sounds like a practical horticultural guide.

“This is assuredly no dry or abstruse study; it is a perpetual spring of the most genuine satisfaction. Even when cares and troubles assail the mind, and overshade all things with gloom (and no one is always exempted from such things) even then let us look at these beauties – let us contemplate them. Yes! We will ‘consider the Lilies how they grow.’ Our Divine Saviour himself commands us to do it, and never did He enjoin anything which was not for our truest felicity.”

And definitely an invitation to nourish the inner spirit through gardening.

“We have only to add that our most esteemed and very particular friend, Mr. George Cooke, has devoted his talents (already so well known to the public) to this work. We are sure nothing more need to be said about its execution.”

And, finally, an appreciation for the volumes’ illustrator.

George Cooke’s hand-colored copperplate engraving appeared in Vol. VIII in 1823 accompanied by the following description:

“A native of woods on the banks of rivers and lakes from Virginia to Florida. It is an elegant climbing plant, and although it will stand our usual winters in a defended place, out of doors, is yet seen to best advantage planted in a conservatory, in which situation we have had it for several years. It flowers beautifully in May and June. The soil should be loam and peat. It may be increased without much difficulty by cuttings and layers.”

It needs no such “defending” here in its natural forest, where one generally sees flowers only after they have fallen to the ground from sunny treetops. However, some keen local gardeners have brought cross vine down to eye level on arbors or trellises.

While there are horticultural selections, I prefer the naturally occurring bi-colored beauty, so brilliantly captured by 19th century botanical illustrator George Cooke.

Email Ken Moore at flora@carrborocitizen.com.

Find previous Ken Moore Citizen columns at The Annotated Flora (carrborocitizen.com/flora).

PHOTO BY KEN MOORE. In 1823, botanical illustrator George Cooke captured the beauty of cross vine.

One Response
  1. May 5, 2011

    This must be the week for blogging about bignon vines!

Comments are closed.