No it's very cold sensitive. I have to take it into the greenhouse. I've never had seeds from it, at least nothing that looks like a viable seed and I have more then 1 variety so they could cross pollinate. What's at the base of the fluff after the bloom is spent is so flat and tiny. It doesn't appear viable and I have attempted to sow what's there with no luck. Linda I'd love to trade for the A. gigantea. I have no idea why I'm having such a hard time finding hardy aristolochias? I'll send you an email.

I have a Mexican Flame Vine in a pot that I bring in for the winter. I don't think they are winter hardy in the DFW area. I wish they were, as mine doesn't bloom nearly enough under these conditions, but it does bloom for a while. Queen's Wreath is one of those borderline hardy/not hardy plants in the DFW area. I haven't grown Queen's Wreath at my house, because my trumpet vine won't let me - won't give up the space, but we have one at work. It's growing on a fence in full sun sort of out in the open. It's on a chain link fence near a corner of the property, that divides our property from an apartment complex, with a concrete wall perpendicular to the chain link part. There is grass on the apartment side of the fence, and a mulched herb garden on our side, with a concrete parking lot on the opposite side of the concrete wall. It's kind of hard to describe. The reason I'm boring you with all this is because I can't decide if it's a protected spot or not. It may be shielded from the wind by the apartments and that wall, but it's also very much in the open being on the chain link fence. Anyway, this Queen's Wreath has come back the last few years, and is spectacular in the late summer. I think it might be worth a try. It will die to the ground in the winter. Mexican Flame Vine and Queen's Wreath have very different looks. Both are good for nectaring insects, and the Queen's Wreath attracts hummers, too. Sally

Thanks, True-blue, for that commentary. At the very least, your northerly location does suggest to me that I'm not completely alone in wishing to work with this thing. Where I saw it in Madison (Wisconsin), it was clambering over a wall, and was quite floriferous at the time I was there. The times I saw it down in Florida, while very inspiring, don't really count for this inquiry. My idea would be to use it as a trailing element within mixed containers. As such, it would not have to be the whole show, but it would be important that it carry its own weight, aesthetically speaking. I appreciate your response! +oM

I am starting a butterfly garden and am looking to buy a Mexican Flame Vine. Does anyone know of nureseries in the Bay Area where they can be purchased?