The Gum Vine
Aphanopetalum resinosum or ‘gum vine’ or ‘shiny leaved gum Vine’ is a useful climber for shaded areas. Probably underused in landscaping.
This is an easy to grow plant with pale yellow flowers. Although it does have an open rambling habit it is easy to keep in shape and bushy, simply prune after flowering. Excellent for those ‘hard to grow anything’ shaded areas, as a backdrop to ferns.
This is a species that grows well in a container, so very useful for inner city courtyard walls that do not receive much sun. It will easily reach 2 – 3m over tome, usually not much taller.
Landscaping Uses
A few named cultivars are available and it is suited to growing in a hanging basket in a fernery.
Its natural distribution range is from southern Queensland along the coastal rain forests and ranges to the Victorian Border. It will require a little support to be effective as a climbing plant. With no support it becomes a rambling ground cover.
Try training the Gum Vive along a low wire fence as a flowering evergreen cover
Useful Information for Aphanopetalum resinosum
- Botanical Name : Aphanopetalum resinosum
- Common Names : Gum Vine
- Origin : Japan and China
- Family : Cunoniaceae
- Genus : Aphanopetalum
- Cultivar Name: N/A
- Plant Type : Small climbing or twining shrub.
- Exposure/ Light : Filtered light or part shade
- Soil Type : Sandy, Sandy Loam
- Soil Moisture : Moist
- pH Level : Acid, Neutral
- Climate Zone : Temperate to cool temperate
- Drainage : Good drainage
- Water requirements : Medium
- Height: To 3m as a climber
- Width : To 2m
- Growth Habit : Sprawling ground cover or climber if given support
- Lifespan : Perennial
- Landscaping Uses : Ground cover or climbing plant
- Garden Styles ; N/A
- Special Uses : Ornamental novelty
- Plant Environment : Part shade woodland plant.
- Flowering Time : Spring through summer
- Flower colours : Light buttery yellow star shaped flowers.
- Other Seasonal Interest : Good glossy evergreen foliage
- Climate Zone : Cool Temperate to warm temperate
- Special Uses : Used as a herbal tea
- Frost Tolerance : Tolerates light frost only.
- Drought Tolerance : Medium
- Attracts Wildlife : Yes