Convolvulus althaeoides - 2009

I have a white one think its called 'bindweed' LOL!!!!!

This is not the common troublesome binweeds you see growing wild in the UK. In the UK, there're 3 binweed/wild convolvulus varieties: big plant with big leaves and big white flowers, small plant with small leaves and small white flowers, small plant with small brownish-pinkish flowers. Pretty but not as pretty as the Spanish binweed.

I saw these beautiful Convolvulus Althaeoides in Spain growing along kerb sides in towns, in the waste lands... The way they grew, they were quite tidy really, compared to the English binweeds. Their flowers were huge compared to their small, deep cut leaves. The leaves were like lavender's leaves - silver grey, very rough, dry and hairy; a typical dry soil plant.

Their flowers were so beautiful in the Spring sunshine - huge, clear China pink colour with dark pink folds, looking like single pink Carnations. The colour of the flower in this photo is not accurate - lavender blue. I think it's the digital camera.

Anyway, I was looking for some seeds as I know not many people selling this plant in the UK. But I couldn't find any seeds as it was too early in the season - April.

In the UK they only sell Convovulus Sabatius - a small convolvulus with fleshy green leaves and small blue flowers used for hanging baskets. They say Convolvulus Sabatius can be grown as a hardy perennial plant in the UK. Well, not really - mine died in Winter and never grew back.

I'm surprised that the Spanish convolvulus can be grown as a hardy perennial in the UK. I'll look for them in the shops this Summer.

Anyway, folks, you must have seen those wild clovers (Oxalis) in Spain - they have very huge, yellow flowers on tall stems. Two varieties: one with single flowers, the other with double flowers. They grow wild everywhere over there; in waste lands, orchards, along the roads... I wonder if they can be grown as a hardy perennial in the UK? Why nobody imports them and sell them in the UK? In the UK they do sell Oxalis bulbs/corms in Spring; but these have boring, tiny, pink flowers.