Skyblue Clustervine (Jacquemontia pentanthos) also known as Key West morning glory, is a woody, twinning vine that will grow up to 12 feet in its native pine rockland and coastal hammock habitats across extreme south Florida. While it may act as an annual and only grow to 3-6 feet in colder areas, the plant is worthy of a place in your winter garden: its quarter-sized, delicate, funnel-shaped blue flowers add a burst of color to the landscape from November through early May. Happy to act as a groundcover or climb on a trellis or other support, a single plant can produce hundreds of blooms on any given day. Skyblue clustervine requires at least a half day of full sun (and a full day of sun for optimal flowering) and can tolerate salt spray as well as occasional saltwater intrusion.
The plant is a magnet for native bees and skippers and several sphinx moth species, including the Nessus sphinx, Tantalus sphinx, and Tersa sphinx. Pair it with other blue flowers like forked bluecurls (Trichostema dichotomum) or spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) to inspire a zen-like calm or to make a small garden appear larger. Like most members of the morning glory family, skyblue clustervine flowers open in the morning and close by mid-afternoon so be sure to plant it where you can enjoy it as part of your morning routine. If you garden in pots or on a patio this vine does well in a pot with a trellis to climb.
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