"Donald Gares" wrote in message
...


Vox Humana wrote:
"Donald Gares" wrote in message
...

Ok everyone, point your browsers to http://www.crsales.com/whatisit.htm
and take a look. We just noticed this vine around a trellis that also
has a Clematis on it. Although it is possible that it was there before,
we have never noticed it and sure would like to know what it is.

Please note the seed pods.....it is not a Clematis, is it?

Your expertise would be appreciated.


Definitely hyacinth bean. Collect the pods after they turn brown and
dry on
the vine and plant in the late spring outside or start inside in late
winter. I remove the beans from the dry pods and soak in warm water
over
night before planting. They like the heat. The pods on mine are
starting
to dry now.

Hey, thanks to both of you.

What we don't understand is when we look them up it states that they are
grown as a perennial in zones 8-9 and as an annual in zones lower than
that. Well, we are in zone 5 (southeast IA) and we sure didn't plant
them so how did they get in our flower garden? Might they have managed
to winter over this far north?

Most likely the seed found its way to your garden. I may have come along
with a plant or an animal may have deposited it. The seeds seem to be able
to over winter and then sprout the next year. I got my seeds from a local
nursery that grew them on a fence (yes, I asked before taking the seeds.)
This year they didn't plant the vine, but I noticed a few volunteers. I am
in zone 6. I collected a large number of pods last year from the few plants
that I grew. I started some myself, and gave away some seed and I still had
way too many. I looks like I will repeat the cycle this year.