Butterfly vine seedpods flutter into fall garden
Monarch butterflies will migrate through Texas this month, headed for their overwintering grounds in Mexico. But already masses of butterflies have arrived in my Austin garden. Butterfly vine seedpods, that is.
Butterfly vine, also known as gallinita (Mascagnia macroptera), is my favorite late-summer flowering vine. After its lemon-yellow flowers fade…
…they turn into cinnamon-colored, butterfly-shaped seedpods.
They are charming and would be fun to use in dried arrangements or crafts. And the vine would be perfect for a children’s garden too.
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Digging Deeper
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What a pretty plant! If I’m not mistaken, I saw this vine growing in my local botanic garden. I’ll have to check as to whether there are seedpods on my next visit.
I think it would be a good vine for your region, Kris.
Wow – I’ve never heard of Butterfly Vine before – it is simply beautiful!
It’s a warm-climate vine, but I bet you could grow it as a tropical annual in Canada.
Oh, how cute! Does it seed itself everywhere? Who carries the seeds? I’d like to try it as an annual in Maryland.
I’ve never noticed that it seeds itself in my garden, Ginny. It seems pretty well behaved.
What an unusual seed pod for such a small looking bloom. I think it is most interesting.
It’s pretty unusual looking, for sure.
Beautiful! Do you know rhe botanical name and where can I find it? I live in zone 7 a. Do you think it would grow here?
The botanical name is in my post: Mascagnia macroptera. I think it’s zone 8-9 but can be grown as an annual elsewhere. Just Google it to see if you can find an online nursery that sells it.
I enjoyed finding a new plant, after 40+ years gardening.
My dried arrangement pals will love this plant, it sounds like a fun vine for a arced gate way.
Just so much you can do with ciders & muscadine on gateways, so I will try your Buttery fly vine in zone 8a, S.C.
Happy planting!