Pyrostegia Venusta(Golden Shower) - 10L

The golden shower is an evergreen tropical plant which is native to southern Brazil, northern Argentina and Paraguay. It is a member of the Bignonia family (Bignoniaceae). In Brazil, the leaves of Pyrostegia venusta are used in traditional medicine as a tonic and for treating diarrhoea.

This showy climber is grown for its sensational clusters of tubular orange flowers and its luxuriant shiny green leaves. Flowering times vary from region to region in South Africa, and flowers can appear anytime during the short days of autumn and winter, or even in late winter and early spring. The flowers are followed by slender dry seed capsules.

It is also commonly cultivated throughout the tropics, subtropics, as well as in mild Mediterranean climates and other frost-free regions of the world. In tropical and subtropical regions it is a vigorous, evergreen woody vine that branches profusely and can climb quickly by clinging with its tendrils, right to the top of a two story building, or the top of tall trees; in these regions it may be wise to contain the roots in pots, planter boxes or with a root barrier material; in colder regions it is much less rampant and may be semi-evergreen.
 
The golden shower looks at its best when draped over a structure like a carport, pergola or wall, or twining between fences; anywhere where its drooping bunches of flowers can be seen to full effect. It is also useful to cover necessary but unsightly garden features like water tanks and old garden sheds. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and birds like the Greater double-collared sunbird.The golden shower grows best in the warmly temperate to sub-tropical, moist, frost-free regions of the country and thrives at the coast. It is semi-hardy to frost, and if it is planted in a very warm protected position in the garden, beautiful specimens can be grown in Johannesburg. The golden shower flowers best in full sun but will tolerate semi-shade. It is not very drought tolerant and requires moderate watering throughout the year; especially in hot, dry regions. It prefers compost enriched, well-drained soil, and tolerates acidic to alkaline soils, but is intolerant of saline soils.

Heavy pruning after it has finished flowering, or frequent light pruning is needed to restrain it and to encourage branching, as well as to stimulate flowering; the brilliant flower display makes this extra work well worth the effort. Feed in early summer with a balanced organic fertiliser like 3:1:5. The golden shower spreads vigorously by suckering and you may want to contain the roots, seeds are also dispersed by wind.

The golden shower is relatively pest and disease free but can be attacked by scales, caterpillars and mites.