About
A herbaceous scrambling plant growing from long tubers to a spread of 1m or more. Rich yellow flowers with long spurs appear throughout summer over a mass of blue-green lobed leaves.
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 typeSand, Loam, Chalk
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitTrailing
FoliageDeciduous
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Rock garden, Gravel garden, Coastal
Native toC Chile to NW Argentina
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a sheltered scree, gravel garden, raised bed or large rock garden. Useful ground cover. Plant into well-drained, but moist soil in full sun
PruningNo pruning required. Cut back at the end of the season
PropagationPropagate by division of tubers in spring or by seeds as soon as ripe, or by basal softwood cuttings in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite and whitefly
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free