As the year deepens into fall and my cut flowers and vegetables die back, I appreciate the colorful red, white, and yellow flags of the Ipomoea lobota (formerly Mina lobota), the exotic love vine.  Wait . . . the exotic what?  No need to blush, this vine goes by a variety of common names so you can pick your preference: exotic love vine, Spanish flag, fire vine, or firecracker vine.  Regardless of the name, the vine provides welcome color in the garden in late summer and fall.

Ipomoea lobota is a flowering, herbaceous vine that is native to Mexico.  While it is a perennial in its native habitat, it is not frost tolerant and is typically an annual in our area.  The vine is said to grow up to 16 feet, with bright green lobed leaves.  In my windy Benicia yard, however, the vine stays within the 8-10 foot range.  In fact, the plant is often described as vigorous and fast-growing, but it is polite and manageable in my yard, perhaps due to the wind, the microclimate, or use of drip irrigation that we tend to run on the dry side of things.  More favorable conditions might result in a more vigorous, bigger plant.  But my vine perfectly fits my yard, so I am content.

The flowers are beautiful, delicate, 6” long clusters of “flags” displayed in a gradient of color from white to yellow to red on a slender stem.  The floral display begins in mid- to- late summer and, in my yard, the display peaks in early- to mid-fall.  The flowers are said to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, although the hummingbirds in my yard seem to prefer salvia and other goodies around the yard.

As with many plants, the vine prefers moist, rich, well-draining soil in a sunny location that offers 6 or more hours of sunlight a day.  I've tried the plant both on a less frequently run irrigation line and a more frequently run line, and the vine (not surprisingly) preferred more water.  Based on my experience growing the vine in different areas of my yard, the vine will survive in slightly shadier areas but flowers better in full sun.  As a climbing vine, the plant will need a structure for support.

The vine is available in pots at nurseries, such as Annie's Annuals, and also as seeds.  I've grown the vine from nursery pots and from seed and have had equal success.  The seeds should be scarified and soaked to aid germination, so be sure to read the instructions on the seed packet.  The seeds can be toxic to dogs if ingested in large quantities.

In the fall, as the garden begins to slow, it is such a treat to see the colorful flags of Ipomoea lobota flying!