Currently flowering is Beaumontia grandiflora. Large white scented trumpet-shaped flowers emerge from midwinter through to early spring, providing quite a show above our heads.
This climber, with attractive grey bark, twines up its supports, forming large woody stems. Leaves are large and glossy green, up to 25cm long and oblong to ovate in shape.
In the wild, Beaumontia climbs impressively through trees and over rocks and shrubs. Native from India to Vietnam, it grows in the eastern foothills of the Himalayas at altitudes from 150m to 1400m.
Due to its large altitude range it will grow in a variety of climates. It does best with hot, moist summers and slightly cooler, drier autumn and winter temperatures which initiate flowering. These conditions are ideal for tropical or subtropical gardens.
However, this climber will grow in more temperate areas and can even handle light frosts but may not flower well or at all if the temperature is not high enough.
Beaumontia are attacked by a few common greenhouse pests. Mealy bug and thrips can become a problem if left unchecked, but hard pruning after flowering will open the plant, limiting sheltered areas that would provide opportunity for insects to happily feed and breed.
• Stephen Bishop is curator of the winter garden glasshouse at Dunedin Botanic Garden.
