Anredera cordifolia

Anredera or Boussingaultia cordifolia is an amazing perennial plant. More commonly known as the Madeira Vine, it is an easy to grow climbing herbaceous plant but not very hardy. From summer to autumn, it produces thin and light clusters filled with tiny white flowers, with the scent of almonds. The thick and dark green foliage is evergreen and glossy. This vine is highly appreciated in cooking for its underground tubers and delicious foliage.

Anredera cordifolia is a lush rhizomatous vine belonging to the family of Basellaceae, recently linked to Chenopodiaceae. It is native to western South America, has naturalised in Asia, and southeastern Europe, it is probably on this occasion that it obtained its common name: Madeira Vine. With rapid to explosive growth, this plant has a climbing or creeping habit depending on its use, producing stems that can reach 8 to 10 m (26 to 33ft) in tropical zones, but in our climates it will rarely exceed 3 m (10ft) in height for 1 m (3ft) in spread. On thin fleshy and reddish stems, persistent, dark green, very glossy foliage develops. Its heart-shaped leaves, 3 to 7 cm (1 to 3in) long, are often folded with undulated edges.

The fragrant and long-lasting flowering extends from summer to autumn. Gathered in narrow and long clusters, 6 to 20 cm (2 to 8in) in length, the tiny 2mm (0.1 in) white flowers give a beautiful light and feathery effect. Although this plant has male and female flowers, it rarely produces seeds. It mostly reproduces through small aerial tubers, that weigh down the stems to the point of breaking the branches of the trees it colonises in its natural environment. Anredera cordifolia grows from underground tubers that are edible and used like potatoes. The leaves, on the other hand, are cooked and consumed like spinach. The aerial bulbils (tubers) have medicinal uses.

Apparently much more appreciated in the past than nowadays, Boussingaulthia is a plant full of history. In the garden, it will be appreciated for its exuberance, magnificent foliage, and fragrant flowering. It adapts to all soils that are not too dry and requires very little maintenance, only disliking frost. It can be planted in open ground, where it will quickly cover an ugly fence, or hide an unsightly view o  small structure. It also grows very well in a large pot, which can be stored during winter in a conservatory or greenhouse. It can be paired with lush morning glories or perennial or annual sweet peas, on a sturdy support.