Redwing is a hardy, woody vine or scrambling shrub native to South America in the Malpighiaceae family. The genus name is derived from hetero , meaning different and pterys meaning wing for the winged seeds. The vine can grow from 7 to 15 feet and needs the support of a fence or arbor, or it will grow up through small trees or shrubs in the landscape. If left with no support, it has an untidy mounding habit.Planting in full sun in moist soil with good drainage will ensure the best floral and fruit display , but it will grow well in a shadier location. It tolerates drought, but does best in a slightly moist, well-drained soil. Young plants appear to die back to the ground for the first couple of years, but once established, the stems stay green during all but the coldest winters. Redwing produces gold flowers in early summer, followed quickly by red fruits. Redwing continues to produce flowers and fruit into the fall. The foliage begins as burgundy before turning glossy green. It makes an outstanding landscape plant, growing on any vertical surface as screening, an accent or specimen plant or in cottage gardens. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect pests or diseases.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheBerberis x gladwynensis 'William Penn'Danae racemosaLonicera x heckrottii
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub; Vine
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)