Maurandella antirrhiniflora aka Violet Twining Snapdragon

Maurandella antirrhiniflora is a vine that lives for years. It belongs to the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. Its common names are climbing snapdragon and snapdragon vine. It is native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Cuba. North Carolina State Extension also lists the Turks and Caicos Islands. It grows in dry, subtropical sites. Wild plants climb nearby plants or trail from rocky limestone bluffs.

This vine grows fast, with smooth stems and many branches. It climbs with tendrils and stems that twine. As ground cover, one plant spans about 3 feet [0.9 metres]. Its green leaves feel firm and leathery. Each leaf is simple, with an arrow-like or triangle shape. Leaves measure about 0.08–0.25 feet [0.025–0.076 metres] long and wide. Most leaves grow in an alternate pattern, taking turns along stems. Some lower leaves grow in pairs across from each other. Lower leaves have round tips; young leaves have sharp tips.

The small flowers form tubes and look like snapdragon blooms. Each grows alone where a leaf meets the stem. The blooms are red-purple, with white throats and pink lines. The top lip has two lobes; the lower has three. Side lobes spread out, while the top pair points up. Flowers measure less than 0.08 feet [0.025 metres] across. Bloom can last through spring, summer, and fall. High heat may cut bloom until cool weather returns. Brown seed pods, called capsules, form in fall. Butterflies and hummingbirds visit the blooms. Common buckeye caterpillars use the plant as a host.

Give this vine full sun for the most flowers. It grows in part shade, too. It accepts sand, loam, and clay if water drains well. The source lists neutral soil as a good choice. Keep soil moist, but not too moist or wet. Its dry native sites do not end its need for garden water. It lives for years in USDA zones 9–10. In colder zones, gardeners can grow it as an annual. Seeds and stem cuttings give ways to grow new plants.

Grow climbing snapdragon on small trellises, gates, or in pots. It can trail from hanging planters or cover a border's soil. It spreads but does not grow too forcefully. It needs little care. Remove spent blooms and seed pods to prolong bloom. Its resistance to deer adds to its garden value. It does not often have major pest or disease problems. Wet soil can cause root rot. Too much moisture can also bring powdery mildew and rust. Water at the plant's base to help curb these problems.