Mascagnia
( mas - KAYN - ee - ah )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of flowering deciduous vines includes species which need full sun and moderate water to perform well in the garden. These vines are commonly called Orchid Vine, Gallinita or Butterfly Vine. They are native to Mexico, and are great additions to desert-climate gardens. Leaves are bright green and flowers are yellow or pink, blooming in clusters in spring and summertime. Seed pods that resemble small butterflies replace flowers as they fade. Use Mascagnia vines to cover bare walls or structures, as a groundcover or mounding shrub, for their ornamental flowers or seed pods, or to attract pollinators to the landscape. Take care when planting these vines in the garden, as plant parts are toxic if ingested by humans or pets.
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Mascagnia Species and Varietals
The genus Mascagnia includes around 45 distinct species and is a member of the plant family Malpighiaceae. Plants in this genus are related to those in Tecoma, Malpighia, and Callaeum. Orchid Vines grow well in UDSA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset growing zones 12-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Mascagnia lilacina (Lavender Orchid Vine, Purple Orchid Vine, Lilac Orchid Vine) This species reaches up to between 15 and 20 feet long and has lilac flowers. Blooms are followed by seedpods. These vines are hardy down to 18 degrees Fahrenheit and are suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 8b-11. The species is native to northeastern Mexico. |
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Mascagnia macroptera (Yellow Orchid Vine, Butterfly Vine, Butterfly Pea Vine, Gallinita) Reaches 15 feet long with bright yellow flowers that are followed by eye-catching seed pods. Vining stems can reah up to 10-15 feet long. Hardy to 24 degrees Fahrenheit, this species does well in USDA hardiness zones and is native to desert and scrubland regions in Baja California and southward into mainland Mexico as well as down into Central America. |
Caring for Mascagnia
Take care when planting these vines in the garden, as plant parts are toxic if ingested by humans or pets. Make sure to plant these vines in full sun to light shade. They should ideally be receiving between 4 and 6 hours of direct light each day, and will flower and produce the best foliage the more sun they get. Some afternoon protection from sun is needed in particularly hot areas to avoid over-stressing the plant or foliage sunburn. They prefer well-draining soil with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0. 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.
Water new plants regularly as they establish themselves in the landscape. At maturity, Mascagnia vines are considered drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for much of the year with supplemental irrigations during extended periods of drought. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. 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. Foliage can be trimmed back at any time of the year to control growth and remove dead, damaged and diseased stems and leaves. Thin growth to neaten appearance and shorten any leggy stems. Doing so will keep the plant at its healthiest form. Pinch young plants to encourage a bushy habit to form. Mascagnia vines are perennials, and typically live for 20 years before needing to be replaced if cared for properly.
Caring for Mascagnia in Containers
Mascagnia vines are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Mascagnia grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Water new plants regularly as they establish themselves in the landscape. At maturity, Mascagnia vines are considered drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for much of the year with supplemental irrigations during extended periods of drought. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. 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. Foliage can be trimmed back at any time of the year to control growth and remove dead, damaged and diseased stems and leaves. Thin growth to neaten appearance and shorten any leggy stems. Doing so will keep the plant at its healthiest form. Pinch young plants to encourage a bushy habit to form. Mascagnia vines are perennials, and typically live for 20 years before needing to be replaced if cared for properly.
Caring for Mascagnia in Containers
Mascagnia vines are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Mascagnia grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Propagation
Although these vines can be propagated through both cuttings and seed, the cutting method is suggested because growing Mascagnia through seeds can be a difficult, slow and unpredictable process. To propagate your vine using cuttings, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Mascagnia by Cutting
Propagating Mascagnia 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.
Problems and Pests
Mascagnia vines do not suffer from any pest and disease issues. For information on commonly-encountered pests and diseases in the home garden, consult the following pages:
Gallery
Mascagnia vines are popular choices for pergolas and trellises.
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These vines can grow to be quite large, and need structure to cling to.
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The yellow flowers of these vines bring cheery color to landscapes.
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Videos
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All about yellow Orchid Vine.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 436, Mascagnia
