Last year, I decided to plant a Mexican Flame Vine (Senecio confusus) at the base of my deck. Throughout the summer, I patiently waited, wondering if anything would happen. Then, as fall arrived, it was as if an explosion of color erupted. The vine burst into life, covered in vibrant pumpkin-orange flowers that became magnets for bees and butterflies, attracting them just like bears to honey.
Monarch butterfly sipping nectar from vibrant orange Mexican flame vine flowers.
Our first freeze of the season arrived unusually late, not until early January, which meant I was fortunate to enjoy these beautiful blooms for months. Even on Christmas Day, the Mexican flame vine was glorious. I captured these photos on January 5th, just before the flowers finally faded, as they continued to provide a vital food source for late-migrating monarch butterflies.
Close-up of a Monarch butterfly feeding on Mexican flame vine blossoms in January.
Honeybees were also constant visitors, busily moving among the delicate, frilly-edged flowers, collecting pollen and nectar.
Honeybee collecting pollen from the frilly flowers of Mexican flame vine.
Another honeybee busy pollinating Mexican flame vine flowers, showcasing their intricate structure.
This annual vine certainly delivered a remarkable payoff. Planting it against the deck allowed me to fully appreciate its beauty every day from October through early January. I could even admire its vibrant color from my kitchen table, bringing a touch of nature indoors.
Red admiral butterfly adding a splash of color to the orange Mexican flame vine.
Adding to the orange spectacle, a red admiral butterfly also joined the feast, further enhancing the vine’s visual appeal.
Monarch butterfly gracefully perched on a Mexican flame vine flower, preparing to feed.
While many gardeners might start Mexican flame vine from seed, I opted for the convenience of a 1-gallon pot. To support its growth, I installed a simple wire trellis against the deck, providing an easy pathway for the vine to climb and spread.
Monarch butterfly enjoying nectar from a vibrant Mexican flame vine flower in a garden setting.
To ensure it thrived, I positioned it in full sun and watered it about once a week. During the intense heat of last summer, I likely supplemented its watering with extra drinks from the hose, although the specifics now escape my memory.
When the first hard freeze finally arrived, it signaled the end for this beautiful vine. Being an annual in my zone 8b (or perhaps 9a, as classifications are shifting), I removed it during my garden cleanup. Interestingly, I didn’t plant another this spring. Instead, I was captivated by a red ‘Lady Margaret’ passionflower, which is now hosting Gulf fritillary butterflies eagerly laying their eggs. Passionflowers serve as larval host plants for these butterflies, so I’m continuing to support our pollinator friends, albeit with a different plant. Hopefully, this fall will bring another spectacular bloom display, perhaps from a different source. Time will tell!
