Tropaeolum speciosum

This is for Spritzhenry. :-)

Lovely specimen. I have one plant in a pot and it is spreading all over it. I need to keep it contained or it will take over the garden.:))

i wish it would take over my garden...its lovely

beautiful colouring

A work colleague has just e-mailed me fab pics of her garden with this in full bloom right now. Will post a couple of them here later this evening, when I get home from work.

Wow.., this is beautiful David ! I've never seen them for sell around here. Is it an annual or a perennial, and how long does it bloom ?

Hi Fl!,

This is definitely a stunning perennial, and my fave flowering vine for this time of year over here. This may be due to the fact that several friends and colleagues have it and are not "gardeners".But, I have tried for the past 8 years, and not been able to get it going. I just love to go out looking for it from mid July- mid August here. Am going to give this one its own "blog", probably tomorrow, coz | love it, have so many pics, and know its history. :-)

It must not do well in our climate, or I probably would have seen one for sale around here before now. I'll just have to admire yours David ! Man..., but I DO love that color !

Can't understand why it grows so well a mere 15 miles from me, but have never had any luck with it! But gives me much to look forward to at this time of year. And, I don't have to look after them. haha! :-)

That is a beautiful plant! Not himalayan by any chance, is it?

No, sorry, Madperth! It originated from Chile (introduced here in 1795). But, may do well in your garden, as it does so in many "open-to-the-public" gardens in Perthshire. Also, a Perthshire-born planthunter/surgeon called Archibald Menzies .first introduced this to Europe, along with the Monkey Puzzle Tree :-)

They are so wierd! there's one in a garden on the bus route into town, & I love looking at it, but they get really big!

Supposed to grow to only 10ft tall, but they do, in reality, often grow higher.

Haven't had time, yet, to upload the pics of my colleague's garden, but will do so, soon as I can.

Checked out your friend's garden, fantastic! I'd definitely add this to my wish list, but not sure where I'd put it!

Not sure where I'd really locate this in my current garden, too, Madperth, should it ever really "take off", lol! But, would love to have one grow successfully, and keep it to a manageable size.

Amblealice seems to think that, keeeping it in a container, might be a method of control? Not sure!

I thought It'd be a great cover for the "public" face of the shed (where I keep the bins out of my sight). It's beautiful & would definitely improve on something ugly!!

Yes, for about 2 months of the year. Also, it's not Himalayan in origin, nor evergreen. Need to find something "closer to home" for your shed :-(

Hmmmm! Might end up with the Russian vine cuttings I have being put there. One side is covered with nasturtiums & sweet peas at the moment!

I have lots of this in my garden David...the roots of mine are in deep shade and it does very well...It looks great growing through dark green foilage...a hedge for instance...no need to cut it back..it just disappears and pops up again.....nice dark fruits as well...in spring i gather pieces of root and plant them up to place them elsewhere.....lovely

Lucky you, Motinot! I think it's stunning!

Am so envious of you, Motinot - well done, you !

Many Thanks for your cultivation notes :-)

I have a friend who grows this through her conifer hedge. My sister also grows it in hers. Works beautifully. I have mine in my hedge too. Not good if you weed where it is growing early in spring as you may just pull the roots and shoots out......put it where you don't weed and with plenty of compost which is moist and it will take off!

We were told at the Explorers garden that you should water it from the bottom, is that right?

Many Thanks for this advice, Silver! :-)

How hardy is this?

This is fully hardy throughout the UK, Meanie.