Plant of the Week: Cissus discolor--- Rex Begonia Vine

 

Cissus discolor in our greenhouse

Cissus discolor, also known as Rex Begonia Vine, is a fast-growing tropical vine known for its beautiful, colorful, velvety leaves. Its heart-shaped leaves feature deep green, silver, and purple patterns.

Patterned leaves with a purplish back

                                                     

 Grown as a houseplant indoors or as an annual in the spring, it is a great choice for hanging baskets and trellises. In a large container outside, after all chance of frost has passed, Rex Begonia Vine makes an incredible spiller in a mixed pot or raised bed. 

The following culture guide and photos are courtesy of The Missouri Botanical Gardens.

Photo courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Gardens

Common Name: rex begonia vine  

Type: Vine

Family: Vitaceae

Native Range: Southeastern Asia

Zone: 11 to 12

Height: 8.00 to 10.00 feet

Spread: 0.75 to 1.00 feet

Bloom Time: Flowers not showy

Bloom Description: Inconspicuous

Sun: Part shade

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Medium

Suggested Use: Annual

Flower: Insignificant

Leaf: Colorful

Tolerate: Heavy Shade

Photo courtesy of The Missouri Botanical Gardens 

Culture

Easily grown in evenly moist, rich, well-draining soil in part sun. Prefers warm, humid conditions. The foliage will lack its distinct variegation if grown in too much shade. Too much sun will scorch the foliage. Hardy in frost-free Zones 11 and higher. Performance will be negatively impacted by prolonged temperatures of 50°F and below.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Cissus javana, (also known as Cissus discolor), commonly called rex begonia vine, is a herbaceous, tender perennial vine native to Southeast Asia, where it is typically found growing on woody vegetation. Mature vines have delicate, red stems and will reach up to 10' long and 1' wide. The narrowly ovate leaves have cordate bases and will reach up to 6" long and 4" wide. The upper surface of the foliage is dark green and mottled with silvery white while the lower surface is deep purple-red. The small, inconspicuous flowers are held in compound, axilary clusters. The fruits are rounded, 0.25" diameter, purple to black berries. Synonymous with Cissus discolor.

Genus name comes from the Greek word kissos meaning ivy.

The specific epithet javana means "from Java", in reference to part of the native range of this species.

The common name rex begonia vine refers to the appearance of the foliage. This plant is a member of the grape family Vitaceae and is not closely related to begonias.

Problems

Watch for whiteflies. Low humidity or too much full sun can cause the foliage to develop brown patches.

Raised beds at The Missouri Botanical Gardens. Notice how well it contrasts with the chartreuse of the sedum planted in the same bed.

Uses

Suitable for use in mixed borders, hanging baskets or allowed to spill over the edge of a container. Provide a trellis or other structure for the vines to climb up if an upright form is desired. Use as an annual, or bring indoors to overwinter in a bright location when temperatures fall to 50°F.

Plant of the Week: Nepenthes

 

Nepenthes are tropical carnivorous pitcher plants, most often sold in hanging baskets in greenhouses.  Monkey pods, nicknamed because monkeys in places like Borneo will drink from the cups that also trap insects, are modified pitcher-shaped leaves. Native to Southeast Asia, they grow as vines. 

Nepenthes attract prey with nectar. The insects fall into a pool of liquid where they drown and are digested. 

The vining plants can climb or sprawl with pitchers developing at the ends of the leaves. 

Found in tropical regions, various varieties grow in hot, humid lowlands and cooler highland regions. 

Nepenthes is named after the mythical Greek potion nepenthe, mentioned in The Odyssey. It was given to Helen by the Egyptians to banish sorrow. 

Nepenthes care:

• Bright direct light for at least 4 hours a day
• Keep soil moist
• High humidity is essential
• Temperature can vary by variety; most prefer at least 70F days and 60F nights.
• Most grow as hanging plants

Nepenthes alata is a native of the Philippines. It is a relatively easy-to-grow houseplant that produces colorful pitchers to attract prey. It will thrive in daytime temperatures of 75°F and 85°F during the day, and not below 55°F at night.

Nepenthes 'Miranda' is known for its colorful pitchers that are large green cups with red speckles. 'Miranda' can grow to a mature size of 3-4 feet with pichers as long as 18".

Nepenthes 'Gaya' is a compact, vigorous variety. The plant features bright green foliage with pitchers that emerge in a marbled pattern, maturing to a crimson-striped pitcher. Colorful pitchers may mature up to 6" long with wide, oval-shaped mouths. 

Nepenthes are available in several sizes of hanging baskets and small pots in our greenhouse. 

Tiny pots of Nepenthes and other Carnivorous plants are available in our greenhouse. 

 Valley View Farms: A Legacy of Community, Growth, and Gratitude

Our Deepest Appreciation

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our customers, employees, and vendors for their unwavering support throughout 2025 and during all the preceding 63 years in business. Your loyalty, dedication, and partnership have been essential to our continued success, and we look forward to many more years of collaboration and growth together.

Honoring Our Roots

We continue to evolve our core business, while staying true to ourselves and our place in the retail world. Now in our second generation of family ownership, Valley View Farms is led by Andy Foard, son of founder William “Bill” Foard and nephew of co-founder John “Punkey” Foard. Since our beginnings as a seasonal business in 1962, we have grown from a simple roadside stand into a valued part of the community. Vegetables grown at our family farm in Hydes, Maryland—just about 12 miles away—were harvested and delivered daily to our current location during the harvest season. Our stand offered tomatoes, sweet corn, pumpkins, and a variety of other produce items as they came into season. We also added fruit from area orchards, as well as milk and eggs from local farms. Some of you may recall our deli, which served meals every day from 7am–9 pm.

Growth and Expansion

As our business developed, we began to offer local flower, vegetable, and herb transplants, and expanded further by adding a nursery department, garden shop, and Christmas shop—features that brought us national recognition. Today, our York Road store spans ten acres, having added pottery, a water garden department, and a patio area over the years.

Adapting with the Community

Change is a constant, and as homes and businesses spread into Northern Baltimore County, Valley View Farms adapted. Our family farm transitioned from growing vegetables to producing transplants of vegetables, annuals, mums, poinsettias, hanging baskets, and other crops in both greenhouses and outdoor fields. The deli eventually closed as new eateries flourished in the area, and the fields once used for pumpkins are now part of Hunt Valley Town Center. Most of our departments continue to thrive, although we recently decided to close our patio furniture business.

Our Dedicated Employees

As we enter this new year, we want to once again thank our employees, some of whom have dedicated 40 to 50 years of service to the store. Their loyalty, dependability, and work ethic are truly remarkable, and generations of families have worked here throughout high school, college, and beyond. Many of our customers are former employees, and it brings us tremendous joy to welcome them back. Depending on the season, our workforce exceeds one hundred, blending full-time and part-time staff, students, and individuals working a second job. This diversity has fostered a fun and vibrant workplace community.

Valued Partnerships

Our vendors, growers, and suppliers have been crucial to our success. Many have been in business as long as we have—some even longer. We thank the local and regional growers who supply our live goods, as well as the Christmas and hardgoods suppliers from across the country who have helped Valley View Farms become the destination store it is today.

Thank You to Our Customers

Above all, we are grateful to our customers, most of whom are locals, but some who travel from other states to visit us. Generations of customers have come in to pick a single Christmas ornament for each family member or to plant entire landscapes with our plants. Your support means the world to us, and we thank you sincerely for being a part of our journey.

May 2026 brings you joy!

 

New Workshops for 2026

 Christmas is over. Holiday decorations will be coming down. We will be looking for some fun projects this winter. Several garden clubs will be visiting us to learn about houseplants, kusamona, kokedama, bonsai, and other related topics. We will have workshops on Winter Sowing of Native Plants, given by our friends, The Wild Ones of Greater Baltimore. Our own staff will be hosting numerous plant workshops. Join the fun! If your group would like to have a seminar at Valley View this winter (January-March), let us know. 

January 3, 9 am                        Welcome to the World of Bonsai 

January 10, 10am-12pm          Native Plants Winter Sowing Workshop

January 17, 11 am                   Plant a Pot of Succulents Workshop

January 24, 11 am                   Terrarium Workshop                

January 31, 11am                    Kusamono Garden Workshop

February 4, 10 am                  Supporting Monstera and other Climbers

February 7, 9 am                    Bonsai  Care and Feeding

February 7, 9 am                     Terrarium for Winter or Valentine's Day

February 7, 11 am                   Repotting Orchids Workshop

February 11, 10 am                 Create a Living Gift for your Valentine

February 14, 9 am                   Air Plants and Epiphytic Plants Workshop

February 14, 11 am                 Kokedama Workshop

February 21, 9 am                  Starting Vegetable Seed Transplants

February 21, 11 am                Native Plants for the Birds

February 28, 9 am                 Tree planting and Care

February 28, 11 am               Growing Fruit Trees and Berries

Look for more information, including costs of various projects, on our website, www.valleyviewfarms.com

Holiday Traditions Includes a Stop in our Christmas Shop

 Why would anyone choose to work at a retail job during the holiday rush? Speaking for many of my coworkers, the special bonds formed when family and friends shop together or pick out their special ornaments can make our days. Here is a glimpse into the lives of a few families, friends, and individuals enjoying themselves. 

What a cutie!

The kids love the plush animals

Santa and the ladies

Keeping it fun!

Looking good, ladies

It takes a village (in front of our village display)

I made my brother's family pose for the camera

Generations of Ravens fans

Beautiful trio

Perfect seat to view the Christmas Shop

Choosing the perfect Christmas tree

" I like this ornament."

Love the Christmas outfits!

Four-legged family member

Great weather for tree shopping

Smiling on their way out 

Great family photo

Enjoying their time together

Something for everyone

1st Christmas memories

Modeling our poinsettias!

In front of last year's Grinch in our greens area

She might be looking at the ballerina ornaments

Everybody smile!

The little ones stare at the thousands of lights in the ceiling. 

Thank you to everyone who has made a stop at Valley View Farms a family tradition! We do it for the smiles on our guests' faces. Visit us this holiday season. We are open 8 am-7 pm daily. 

 What Magic Awaits…

Santa welcomes us to our International Christmas Shop

In my opinion, the International Christmas Shop looks better than it ever has! It’s always a little bittersweet moving from the greenhouse to the building; the loss of all the sunshine and working with the herbs is expected, and yet still I’m sad to see my herb section get smaller and smaller.

Now I’m in the International Shop and WOW! I’m so proud of the work that has been put into the room. We are still working on some of the finer details of our displays, but getting the room set up in only 2 weeks is a record for Liz and me. I’m sure you will see the difference when you come in!

We have an incredible selection from Jim Shore

We carry gifts, decorations, and ornaments from Estonia, Sweden, Italy, Vietnam, the Philippines, Kenya, India, Lithuania, 

Lithuania houses

Bangladesh, Haiti, Poland, Egypt, 

Egyptian Giraffe

China, Russia, Indonesia,

Indonesian duck

Germany, Uzbekistan, the UK, Turkey, the Holy Land, and the USA. 

Green Tree Jewelry Made in the USA

 This year, we have more countries represented than we have had in a long time!

I think my favorite section is the Holiday Table, but I’m a total foodie!

Lots of food items in front of German nutcrackers, smokers, cuckoo clocks, Polish ornaments, and so much more. 

Liz and I have picked out just a few of our favorite items to share with you; come in and share your favorite items with us!

Jen, our herb and seed buyer, is also our International Christmas Shop manager. Stop in and say hi to her and her partner in crime, Liz.