All plants add to a garden's magic. But some possess the power to make a garden completely transporting. Ruby Moon Hyacinth Bean is one such plant.
Its vigorous vines with shimmering bronze foliage reach higher than the tallest trellis, creating a lofty paradise of fuchsia flower sprays and shiny burgundy pods that sway in the late-summer sky. The canopy it creates beckons beloved aerialists like hummingbirds and butterflies to dance and swoop through the vines, zooming and hovering and weaving through the tendrils. And its enveloping, dense habit creates a sense of clear shape and definition for any spot in which it is sited, especially later in the season when it so completely fills in with foliage.
The leaves, seed pods, and flowers are all equally beautiful and are popular in floral design work. The vines make a stunning contrast to changing fall foliage.
Though in-ground plantings yield the most robust vines, they will tolerate container planting as long as the container is sufficiently large. Plants are tropical in origin and prefer warm conditions and abundant rain.
NOTE: This variety is intended as an ornamental. Flowers can be steamed or eaten raw, but beans contain a trypsin inhibitor that can be toxic if the beans are not well-boiled before eating.
