Cobaea scandens
Cup and saucer vine, Mexican ivy, Monastry bells, Climbing cathedral bells
Also known as Rosenbergia scandens
- Height × spread
- 4.6m – 4.6m × 4.6m – 4.6m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A popular annual that always evokes comment when seen in flower. The blooms look like those of some campanula. They form a large plump bell with a flared mouth that reveals luxuriant curling stamens. They are in shades of purple and white and are carried singly amongst quite a lot of foliage. The flowers change colour with age, the purple tints developing and deepening. They carry the soft fragrance of honey.
- Flower colour
- Purple, Violet, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 4.6m – 4.6m
- Spread
- 4.6m – 4.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring · Planting
Repot every other year
Repot every other year if grown in a container. Move it to a slightly larger pot with drainage holes in the bottom. Some of the old compost can be shaken away, but don't disturb the roots too much.
Make sure the roots are spread out and that the plant is sitting on compost and not an air pocket. Firm the soil gently, and ensure that the plant sits at the same level above the soil as it did previously.
Spring - early · Planting
Prune to maintain the plant
Cut back hard when the plant is established. The plant can be reduced by around two thirds its original height.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Pinch out growing tips
On young plants pinch out foliage tips to encourage a pleasant and bushy growth habit.
Winter
Winter · Outdoors
Water sparingly during dormancy
In its dormant period give very little water, keeping the soil barely moist. Dormancy is likely to be during the winter and the plant recommences growth in early to mid spring.
When a plant enters dormancy the leaves fade, go yellow and then brown. Eventually the whole plant may 'disappear' or unadorned stems may remain.
Planting & general
Compost · Outdoors
Houseplant compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality house plant compost.