About

A trailing perennial to 20cm in height, with rounded or kidney-shaped light green leaves, and double orange-scarlet flowers 6cm across, from summer to autumn.

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
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH3

Plant details

Plant typeBedding, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitTrailing
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling

Care notes

CultivationBest grown in poor, well-drained soil in full sun, if the soil is too rich foliage will be produced at the expense of flowers
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by stem tip cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite and whitefly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to virus diseases