Lagenaria sphaerica
(syn. Luffa sphaerica)

Heads up rare fruit growers! From Southern Africa & Madagascar comes this close relative to the Calabash. From a woody perennial rootstock, this fast & vigorous climbing or trailing vine bears large white fragrant flowers that open in the evening. It’s dioecious (male & female flowers on separate plants) & bears highly decorative mottled fruit the size of a croquet ball. It’s bitter & inedible but keeps its shape & color for many years. Attractive palmate foliage, too. Cut vine back to ground in Fall. Tolerates light frosts.

Annie