Strongylodon macrobotrys or the Jade Vine is a leguminous perennial liana that is one of the most striking of all flowered plants.
Originating from the tropical forests of the Philippines it has stems that can extend to 18m, though in cultivation they rarely grow more than 5m.
It produces pale green foliage made up of three leaflets and pendant trusses of up to 75 parrot-beak shaped flowers in turquoise or greeny blue. Each truss or pseudoraceme can grow to 2-3m long.
Being a legume closely related to runner beans and peas, they also produce seed pods up to 15cms long that hold around 10-12 seeds.
They tend to be pollinated mostly by bats that hand upside down to reach the sweet nectar held in each flower.
This is a warm climate plant that really doesn't like temperatures colder than 15c and tends to suit tropical style gardens best. They can also be grown indoors or in glasshouses in cooler climes.
Grow over a trellis or pergola to show off its amazing flower trusses - though they will only flower once allowed to mature - around 2-3 years.