About
Spurred, bright yellow flowers with small lower petals and two, much larger, fringed upper petals are borne from summer until the first frosts. A frost-tender perennial climber to 4m tall usually grown as an annual. Leaves 2-5cm across are divided into five broad lobes.
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 moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial, Climber Wall Shrub
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens
Native toPeru Ecuador.
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationGrows best in a well-drained soil in full sun; mulch in autumn to protect from frosts. Best grown as an annual in cool areas
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite and whitefly
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free