Araujia sericifera

RHS Plant Profile

cruel plant

RHS

Other common names

white bladderflower

Synonyms

Araujia albens

Climber Wall Shrub Conservatory Greenhouse

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A fast-growing, twining, evergreen climber with narrowly oval leaves 10cm long. From late summer to autumn it bears small sprays of bell-shaped, scented, white or pale pink flowers. Sticky pollen masses temporarily trap visiting moths, hence the common name

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Apocynaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Climbing
Genus: Araujia are evergreen climbing shrubs with twining stems containing copious white latex, simple, paired leaves and fragrant salver-shaped flowers borne in umbels in the leaf axils, followed by large, inflated fruits containing silky-tufted seeds
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: South America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in coarse, peat-free, loam-based compost in full light. Where temperatures do not fall below zero grow outdoors in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in sun or semi-shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown when ripe, or in spring. Root semi-ripe cuttings of lateral shoots with bottom heat in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Mediterranean climate plants
City and courtyard gardens
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 11, in early spring

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free