Clianthus

( klye - ANTH - us )

At-A-Glance Information

These evergreen shrubby vines are commonly called Parrot Beak, Parrot's Bill, Kaka Beak, or Lobster Claw, and need full sun in cooler climates as well as regular waterings to perform and bloom well in the landscape. The genus is native to New Zealand and plants reach up to 12 feet tall and just as wide. The plant will produce sprays of dark green leaves that hang gracefully from the branches, and bright red sweet-pea shaped flowers that dangle from their attachments. Flowers bloom in late spring and early summertime; seed pods follow flowers. Varieties that have pink or white flowers are available. There are two species in the genus, Clianthus maximus and Clianthus puniceus, both of which are critically endangered. The genus Clianthus is a member of the plant family Fabaceae. Parrot Beak grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9, 14-24 and H1. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Caring for Clianthus

Plant these vines in full sun to partial shade; they will flower most profusely in full sun. Ideally, they should be receiving between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day. In particularly warm climates, they do appreciate some afternoon sun when temperatures reach their maximum. Make sure to plant Clianthus in a protected area, they do not do well with drying winds or frost, especially when young. Soil should be well-draining and moderately fertile. If local soils are compacted, do not drain well, or are particularly poor in nutrients, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic matter or compost before installing. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant after installation, ensuring that mulch stays at least a few inches away from the stems. This will increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature. Keep the soil moist while plants establish a strong root system; mature plants are considered somewhat drought-tolerant, but they do appreciate consistent moisture during the growth and flowering season. Lessen waterings during their dormancy in wintertime.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Cut back vines in late winter or early springtime, removing dead, damaged, diseased, or errant stems. These vines tend to become a bit leggy and woody towards their bases, and pruning them back each year in springtime can keep them bushy. They also do very well trained as an espalier to support leaves and flowers as they emerge. These vines are considered short-lived perennials, though some species can survive for 15 to 20 years if cared for properly.

Propagation

Clianthus vines can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your vine, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Clianthus by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Clianthus by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed pods on Clianthus plants are pretty easy to spot, they're large and dangle from the branches, left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.