Dolichandra unguis-cati, Cat's claw,

 

Dolichandra unguis-cati – Cat’s Claw (بلی پنجہ بیل)

– Aggressive climbing vine with claw-like tendrils
– Bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers
– Ideal for quick vertical cover in tough spaces

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🌿 Botanical Name: Dolichandra unguis-cati (DOH-lih-kan-drah UN-gwiss-KAH-tee)
🌿 Family: Bignoniaceae (big-noh-nee-AY-see-ee)
🧊 Hardiness Zone (USA): 8–11
📏 Height: Up to 30 feet or more when supported; rapidly spreads across walls and fences

🍃 Foliage: Evergreen to semi-evergreen in Lahore depending on winter severity; leaves are compound with two leaflets and a terminal claw-like tendril used for climbing

🌸 Flowering Period (Lahore/Punjab):
April to June – striking, golden-yellow trumpet flowers appear in flushes; very showy but short-lived

🌼 Companion Plants:

• Tecoma stans – for longer flowering season and harmony in tone

• Bougainvillea – creates a vivid contrast with its deep pink to purple hues

• Thunbergia grandiflora – for cooler complementary tones and dense coverage

• 

  Hannging from a Neem tree

  
  

🏡 Garden Usage: Perfect for quickly covering walls, fences, pergolas, or neglected zones; great for erosion control on slopes or dry patches in urban areas

Sun is on the left- 28 Jun 2025

🍈 Fruition: Produces long, flat brown seed pods post-flowering; not ornamental but prominent on mature vines

🌱 Soil: Thrives in a wide range of soils—ideal in sandy or loamy soil with good drainage; tolerates poor soil once established

⚖️ pH Value: 6.5 to 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)

💧 Water: Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once mature but benefits from deep watering during early growth or summer heat

🌡️ Temperature: Performs well in Lahore’s climate; thrives in temperatures ranging from 20–40°C; tolerates heat well and recovers from mild frost

☀️ Location Preference (sun or shade): Full sun preferred for vigorous growth and best flowering; tolerates partial shade with reduced blooms

🌾 Propagation:
Propagated easily from stem cuttings or by layering.
Seeds may be collected from mature pods; soak 12–24 hours before sowing in spring. Germination takes 2–3 weeks in moist, warm conditions.

🐛 Pesticides:
Generally pest-resistant; monitor new growth for aphids or mealybugs—treat organically with neem oil if necessary

🌻 Fertilizers: Low maintenance; apply a general-purpose fertilizer (10-10-10) once in spring if desired

🦋 Attractiveness to Wildlife:
Bright flowers attract bees and small pollinators; dense coverage may provide refuge for small birds and insects

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💡 Tip:
Cat’s Claw is fast, fierce, and full of energy—perfect for walls that need green cover in a hurry, but keep it in check with timely pruning!

🌼 May you enjoy planting, guiding, and trimming this Cat’s Claw Vine (بلی پنجہ بیل) as it brings wild beauty and golden light to your garden walls.