Our landscapes are emerging from under the blankets of snow, illuminated by the pale blue of the cold, February sky and the dazzling brightness of the winter sun.

Immersed in the cold, often dreary month of February is a special holiday that celebrates, something we all want and need – love.

Though Valentine’s Day is over, we can keep those thoughts of love alive with a very, unique and beautiful houseplant that is named for the holiday.  It is called the Valentine Vine or Sweetheart Vine which is also known as hoya kerii.

Native to southern Asia, hoya kerii is an evergreen, climbing vine with very interesting heart-shaped leaves. The leaves are plump and fleshy and attach to the vine at the base of each heart. It is one of the only plants with leaves of this type that attach as they do. The leaves can be smooth or fuzzy depending on the variety and range in color from deep green to variegated types of yellow and green or cream to white and green.

The Valentine Vine also has very lovely and fragrant blossoms. The blooms arise from the vine on a peduncle or spur. Each complete bloom is “umbrella” shaped and made up of many small, waxy, star-shaped florets. Each floret has a white corolla with a reddish corona.

Once the vine begins to bloom it will continue to do so, especially during the warm seasons. Hoya kerii is related to the orchid. It prefers bright shade, slightly dry soil, and temperatures above 50 degrees. It does very well as a houseplant and can be grown in a hanging basket or growing upward on a small trellis.

Also, with our recent heavy snows and ice, trees and shrubs may need some special attention. Heavy snowfall on evergreen trees and shrubs can damage or break branches and should be brushed off limbs. Ice on tree or shrub branches should be allowed to melt off naturally as breaking it off could cause breakage to brittle branches. Branches that are broken by winter weather can be pruned on non-flowering trees and shrubs.

If you have provided winter protection for young or tender trees or shrubs, check your tree-wraps, mouse guards, wind-protectors or mulch to make sure everything is in place. Broad-leafed evergreens in windy locations can be sprayed with anti-desiccants any time if the temperature gets above 40 degrees.

If you have garden questions or tips for other gardeners, send them in to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed