MUHELENBECKIA complexa

Delightful and unusual perennial and semi-deciduous plant, with fast growth and ground cover or climbing habit, native to New Zealand: in a short time it can reach 5 m in height, or, running on the ground, it can cover large surfaces, rising only a few centimeters. It is formed by thin, delicate flexible stems, oriented in every direction and tending to emit roots when they touch the ground: from the typical coppery bark of the juvenile stage, these branches have minute roundish leaves with a short petiole, arranged alternately and with a nice bright green. In late summer among the foliage you can see very small inflorescences formed by tiny greenish-white starry flowers: they are followed, but only on female plants since this essence is dioecious, unusual juicy fruits in the shape of a flower, white in color and with a large black seed triangular in the center.

Suitable to any exposure, it prefers those in partial shade especially in regions with high summer temperatures; it grows well in soils of any nature, preferably fertile and well drained. It tolerates saltiness of sea winds in coastal areas as well as short periods of modest drought ', taking advantage instead of constant summer wetting. It bears winter temperatures a few degrees below zero: in case of more intense and prolonged cold it defends itself by partially defoliating, ready to dress quickly in spring. At the vegetative restart it can be useful, together with the elimination of dry and bulky parts, to generously trim the various stems to stimulate their thicker and more compact growth. It is perfect on terraces and balconies in large containers or sometimes in suspended pots, exploiting its decorative and tidy aspect as much as a climber, as a ground cover or hanging; in the garden and in the open ground, however, it best expresses all its exuberance, managing with ease and lightness to climb up espaliers, fences and pergolas or to cover large areas of land: its overall neutral appearance allows it to be combined with various other essences with contrasting blooms or foliage.