It’s not easy to find colorful plants to make a splash in shade containers. The rex begonia vine (Cissus discolor, USDA Hardiness Zone 11) is one great plant that does the job. It’s an Asian tropical vine with deep green leaves and bright, silvery stripes, and purple undersides that give the plant a deep rosy glow. It grows up to 6 feet tall in a season and blends well with a multitude of other container plants, but it’s also compelling in a pot on it’s own with a trellis to climb on.

Welcome to the Fine Gardening Garden Photo of the Day blog! Every weekday we post a new photo of a great garden, a spectacular plant, a stunning plant combination, or any number of other subjects. Think of it as your morning jolt of green.

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Lee Valley Garden Obelisks

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Sturdy yet lightweight, these obelisks provide ample support for climbing plants while being easy to install and move. The medium obelisk stands 68 1/2" high overall with a diameter of about 9 1/2", compact enough for smaller containers indoors or out. The large size stands 86 1/2" high with a diameter of 15 3/4", ideal for larger outdoor spaces and containers.

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