About
This vigorous twining evergreen perennial to 6m or more, with heart-shaped or 3-lobed leaves and wide-funnel-shaped blue or purple-blue flowers to 8cm across, opening over a long period from late spring to autumn.
About the genus
Ipomoea can be annuals or perennials, often twining, or evergreen shrubs, with simple, lobed or dissected leaves and tubular or funnel-shaped flowers which may be solitary or borne in racemes or panicles
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitClimbing
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Native toPantropical
ToxicityHarmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost, in full light with shade from hot sun. Water freely when in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every two or three weeks. Water sparingly in winter. If grown in a container it can be put outside in summer
PruningPruning group 11 in spring
PropagationPropagate by seed. See sowing seeds indoors for further advice
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshoouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fusarium wilt, powdery mildews and virus diseases