Fast-growing climbers are (mostly) a doddle to grow - and will cover an eyesore

 

IT'S been a mixed year for my half-hardy climbers, only to be expected this far north in a poor summer.

They're perennials in their tropical homes and can be overwintered under glass, but most people grow them from seed. I'm trying to keep a few alive over winter.

All  can reach 10ft (3m) in a season, so mind where you plant them!

Five came from Mr Fothergill's Mixed Climbers Collection (www.mr-fothergills.co.uk): Cardinal climber, morning glory Grandpa Otts, Chilean glory flower, Spanish flag and hyacinth bean.

 

The sixth is Cobaea scandens, the cup and saucer vine, which I grew from seed last year and overwintered.

1. Cardinal climber (Ipomoea quamoclit): intense scarlet flowers open out into small funnels, fern-like foliage turns purple in late summer. Really took off after I moved it into the greenhouse - wasn't happy outside.

2. Spanish flag (Ipomoea lobata syn. Mina lobata): masses of exotic, tubular flowers in shades of crimson to lemon on arching stems. Foliage turns purple in late summer. This one stayed in the greenhouse all the time and is flowering beautifully well into autumn, now in the conservatory.

3. Morning glory Grandpa Otts (Ipomoea purpurea): intense violet-blue flowers marked with a vivid, ruby 'star'. Fast growing with a long flowering season. Harmful if eaten. Another one that stayed indoors, prolific flowerer.

4. Cup and saucer vine (Cobaea scandens): graceful, fast growing climber with 7cm (3in) bell-shaped flowers changing from green to deep purple. Nearly lost it in a late frost, but has grown at least 6ft. Formed flower buds rather too late in October!

5. Hyacinth bean (Dolichos lab lab): twining vine with leaflets in threes and showy, fragrant bright pink/purple pea-like flowers and pods. A lot of leaf growth outside, but no flowers. Bad summer strikes again.

6. Chilean glory flower (Eccremocarpus scaber): this one didn't germinate! Furious.