About
A slender herbaceous climber to 3m, with long fleshy rhizomes and rounded leaves composed of 5-7 obovate leaflets. Long-spurred, bright scarlet flowers 2cm in width are followed by indigo blue berries held in red sepals.
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 typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Climber Wall Shrub
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesWalls, fences, pergolas, arches.
Native toChile
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationThrives in gardens with cool, moist summers. Plant in cool, leafy or humus-rich soil where roots are in the shade with the plant growing into the sun or partial shade, can be grown up evergreen hedges
PruningIn early spring, cut the dead growth down to ground level
PropagationPropagate by seed or division
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite and whitefly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to virus diseases