About
A summer-dormant, tuberous perennial climber, to about 1.5m high, with slender stems and palmate, lime green leaves divided into five lobes. Trumpet-shaped purple or yellow flowers are produced from winter to late spring.
About the genus
Tropaeolum can be annuals or perennials, bushy, trailing or climbing by twining stems, with simple or palmately lobed leaves and showy funnel-shaped flowers with five long-clawed petals and often a spur
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHNeutral, Acid
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesWalls, fences, pergolas, arches.
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in good light with shade from hot sun. Plant tubers at least 15cm below the surface in a very deep container, using peat-free, loam-based compost with added fine grit. Provide support for climbing stems
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown as soon as ripe in autumn and kept cool but frost free (0-4°C), or by division, separating tubers when dormant in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite and whitefly
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free