Pale swallow-wort
Vincetoxicum hirundinaria · Apocynaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant pale swallow-wort: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to August, cream and reddish-brown flowers
- Adult size
- 60 to 100 cm in height
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -15°C
- Origin
- Central and southern Europe
- Soil type
- Well-drained, chalky or neutral
Care
Exposure
Install your swallow-wort in partial sun or dappled shade. It tolerates semi-shaded areas well and prefers to be sheltered from excessive direct heat in very hot climates. A semi-shaded position promotes good flowering.
Soil and planting
This plant appreciates well-drained, chalky or neutral soils. Enrich the soil with compost when planting. Avoid soils that are too moist or waterlogged, as these encourage root rot.
Watering
Water regularly during growth and flowering to keep the soil slightly moist, without excess. In summer, space out watering if rainfall is sufficient. Reduce watering considerably in winter.
Fertilizing
Apply a moderate amount of balanced fertilizer in spring when growth resumes. A fertilizer for herbaceous plants or perennials will suffice. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would promote foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pruning and tidying
Pinch out young stems in spring to encourage branching. In late winter or early spring, before growth resumes, cut out dried or damaged stems. After flowering, you can cut back the plant to make it more compact.
Diseases and pests
Swallow-wort is not very susceptible to diseases if drainage is correct. Watch for powdery mildew in humid, stagnant conditions. Slugs can damage young shoots in spring.
Did you know?
The common name swallow-wort comes from its historical reputation, in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, as an antidote to snake venom. Alchemists and herbalists considered it to possess venom-eliminating properties, hence this imaginative name. Its scientific name Vincetoxicum literally means 'that which conquers poison'.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Greater periwinkleVinca major
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- Star jasmineTrachelospermum jasminoides
- AmatunguluCarissa macrocarpa
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.