About

A bushy, somewhat sprawling annual to about 30cm, with mid-green, circular leaves splashed and marbled with creamy-white. From early summer to early autumn produces single, trumpet-shaped flowers in pale and mid-yellow, pale and mid-orange, and red.

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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3

Plant details

Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Coastal, Hanging basket, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
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
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite and whitefly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to virus diseases