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Muehlenbeckia spp.
Southern Hemisphere (Australia, New Zealand, South America, New Guinea)
Overview
Muehlenbeckia is a genus of about 20 to 25 species of sprawling shrubs, wiry climbers, and mat-forming groundcovers in the knotweed family (Polygonaceae), native to the Southern Hemisphere, including Australia, New Zealand, South America, and New Guinea. Stems are slender, tough, and often dark and interlacing, ranging from prostrate mats a few inches tall to scrambling growth 10-20 feet (3-6 m) long on a support. Small rounded to fiddle-shaped leaves, 0.1-1 inch (3-25 mm) across, are scattered along the wiry stems and may drop in cold or dry spells. Tiny greenish-white flowers are inconspicuous and are followed by small nuts cupped in a swollen, fleshy, translucent white perianth. Muehlenbeckia complexa, wire vine, forms dense tangled cover and has naturalized as a weed in parts of California and Europe. Muehlenbeckia axillaris makes a low mat, while Muehlenbeckia astonii is a divaricating shrub. Quick spread and self-seeding make some species hard to contain.
Native Range
Muehlenbeckia is native to the Southern Hemisphere, with species in Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and South America, often in coastal, scrub, and disturbed habitats. Several species grow on dunes, rocky shores, and forest margins.Suggested Uses
Used as groundcover, for clothing fences, trellises, and wire frames, and in coastal and low-water gardens. Climbing species form screens and topiary on supports, and mat species cover banks and gaps between paving. In mild regions containment matters, as some species naturalize aggressively.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 20'
Width/Spread1' - 15'
Bloom Information
Tiny greenish-white flowers open mainly in summer, roughly December to February in the native Southern Hemisphere range and in summer where grown elsewhere. The flowers are easily overlooked. Translucent white fruit cups follow and can persist for some weeks.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun to part shade on most well-drained soils, including poor, sandy, and coastal ground. The genus tolerates wind, salt, and drought once established and grows quickly, so space and support or boundaries are worth planning. In cold areas top growth may die back and the climbers behave as semi-deciduous. Trimming controls the tangled stems and keeps mats and screens tidy. Propagation is by seed, cuttings, or layering, all of which root readily. Self-seeding and rooting stems can let plants spread into a weed in mild climates.Pruning
Trim or shear at any time during growth to control spread and shape mats, screens, or topiary. Cut back hard if stems become bare or overgrown, as the genus resprouts from old wood. Remove rooted runners to limit unwanted spread.Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons