Skyblue Clustervine
Jaquemontia pentanthos
This is a long lived twining herbaceous vine that will cover a fence and has 3/4 inch blue flowers for most of the year. These peak in spring and late summer. It is naturally found along the edge of hammocks in the Upper Keys, Everglades Rocklands near Long Pine Key and some places near the Key Deer Refuge. Full sun is best.
Skyblue Clustervine is listed as endangered and does well in counties outside it’s natural range. It will tolerate moderate salt winds and drought along with almost any moderately fertile soil. The natural soil for this plant is composed of coral rock and limestone. It will not tolerate salt or fresh water flooding or a freeze.
You may want to cut it back to three to six feet during the winter. This will force more attractive new growth and remove old leaves and stems.
Several butterflies will nectar on the flowers and seed eating birds will visit it. If you are growing Whiteflower Passionflower on a fence to provide larval food for Julia butterflies, Skyblue makes a nice companion that adds lots of color. Coral Honeysuckle, Man In The Ground, Corky Passionflower, smaller leaved pipevines and other less aggressive vines will also mix well.