About

Calystegia sepium is a perennial wildflower that features climbing stems, reaching heights of over 3 meters. Its leaves are broad and heart-shaped, providing a lush green backdrop. During the summer months, it produces white, trumpet-shaped blooms that measure between 3 to 7 centimeters in diameter.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect
North-facing, South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H6

Plant details

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Climbing
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
2.5-4 metres
Spread
wider than 8 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Wildlife gardens
Native to
Europe

Care notes

Cultivation
Occurs naturally in woodlands and hedges, on banks and verges, and in rough or waste ground. May creep into gardens from adjacent areas, be brought in as root fragments with other plants or, occasionally, spread by seed. The long, twining stems and tangled mass of roots mean it can compete strongly with garden plants and may need to be controlled. Where it can be allowed, the large white flowers are attractive and good for pollinators and the leaves are a food plant for several moth caterpillars including elephant hawkmoth and convolvulus hawkmoth. See bindweed for further information
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Spreads from underground sections of stem and roots and, occasionally, seed
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free