Muehlenbeckia
Paula O’Hara planted a climber (Muehlenbeckia complexa) on an ugly, cyclone wire fence. In just 12 months the vine had almost covered the fence, and in three years she had an ‘instant’ hedge! The only problem is that muehlenbeckia is very vigorous and can become invasive if left untrimmed.
Plant details
Common name: Maidenhair or necklace vine (also Pohuehue in its native New Zealand)
Botanic name: Muehlenbeckia complexa
Description: A vigorous, twining vine with slender, reddish brown stems and clusters of inconspicuous greenish-white flowers in spring to late autumn. The flowers are followed by blackish-brown, 3-lobed fruit.
Uses:
instant hedge or screen
instant topiary
Good points:
fast growing
Downside:
can become weedy and hard to eradicate if allowed to get out of control
Further information
If your local nursery does not stock muehlenbeckia ask them to order it in for you. It costs around $10 for 140mm (5″) pots, and $16 for 200mm (8″) pots.