Bees love butterfly vine

October 02, 2011


Butterfly vine (Mascagnia macroptera) is the only vine that really thrived in my garden this summer, thanks to the drought and unusually high temperatures. And now comes the payoff: lemon-yellow clusters of flowers that look as if they were cut out with pinking shears.


The bees were working them over recently.


A closer view


I really like the contrast between the glossy, dark-green leaves and the bright-yellow flowers.


Making the bees happy is an added bonus.

All material © 2006-2011 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

2nd garden--2011, Bees, Vines, Xeric plants

14 responses to “Bees love butterfly vine”

  1. Jenny says:
    October 2, 2011 at 6:39 AM

    Very attractive vine.. Looks like your neighbors might be enjoying its pretty flowers too.

  2. Indie says:
    October 2, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    How pretty! I don’t think I’ve seen that vine before. The flowers are really pretty!

  3. Karen Mangan says:
    October 2, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    Very cool flowers, Pam, and it looks great on your fence. This is a new one for me as well. Sunset book says hardy to 22F. Did it overwinter for you there, or did you just plant it this season?

    It has always overwintered for me, Karen, although last winter it experienced significant die-back. I grew it in my former garden too. It’s a wonderful vine for early-fall color, but a somewhat protected location is best in case we have another hard winter. And I’d suggest planting in spring for that reason too. I’ll post soon about how it got its name. —Pam

  4. Steph / Rambling Wren says:
    October 2, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    Your butterfly vine is beautiful. I love the bright yellow blooms and the dark green foliage. Nice job capturing the buzzing bees.

  5. jenn says:
    October 2, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    Fab intro shot. Love the pollen load on that bee. Very nice capture!

  6. Diane says:
    October 3, 2011 at 1:58 AM

    How lovely! You must be thrilled to see such a beautiful flowering plant after this dreadfully hot and dry Texas summer. And yes, the contrast between the yellow flowers and glossy green leaves is quite stunning. And the bees are wonderful too!

  7. Darla says:
    October 3, 2011 at 4:45 AM

    I don’t believe I have seen this vine either…very nice.

  8. Margarita says:
    October 3, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    Beautiful photos!

  9. Diana / Sharing Natures Garden says:
    October 4, 2011 at 8:06 AM

    Fab photos — I know you worked hard to catch that little bee flitting around pollinating bloom after bloom!

  10. Gail says:
    October 4, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    Love them! Love the happy bees. I am so very glad that many lovelies have thrived in your garden this summer. gail

  11. Jeanette says:
    October 4, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    Dear Pam,
    You deserve a custom T-shirt: “SP” SuperPhotographer or SuperPam…. Faster than a speeding Bee.
    Beautiful Yellow flowers!
    Jeanette

    Thanks, Jeanette. Actually, that bee was pretty leisurely in her search for the next flower, so I didn’t have to be fast, just patient. 😉 —Pam

  12. Curbstone Valley Farm says:
    October 4, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    I’m not familiar with this vine, but no wonder the bees love them! They have a perfectly open center for the honey bees to get to with their short tongues.

  13. NHGarden says:
    October 4, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    Interesting vine and great bee photos!

  14. cindy says:
    February 14, 2012 at 6:34 PM

    Trying to find how to reproduce this vine for my mother. She has one, but not successful in any starters. Tried the pods from the butterflys as well as clippings. Can you Help?? Does it come in other colors?? Where to buy??

    Thanks, Cindy

    Cindy, I have not grown this vine from seed, so I can’t offer any advice. I’ve only ever seen it in yellow. You can usually find it at Barton Springs Nursery in Austin. Call first to check availability. Good luck! —Pam