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Cobaea scandens (Cup and saucer vine)
1 hour care
per year
per year
8m
Max height
Max height
2m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Cobaea scandens
Other names
Cup and saucer vine, Cathedral bells, Cups and saucers, Mexican ivy, Monastery bells
Genus
Cobaea Cobaea
Species
C. scandens - C. scandens is a vigorous, tender, dense, semi-woody, evergreen climber, often grown as an annual, with pinnate leaves, each leaf divided into four oblong to elliptic, dark green leaflets with an accompanying hooked, branched tendril. From summer into autumn, fragrant, bell-shaped flowers open greenish-white and age to purple.
Cobaea scandens is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers are honey scented
Habit
Climbing, Twining
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Purple in Summer; Purple in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Pruning
Provide a support for the twining stems. Prune after flowering.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Cobaea scandens (Cup and saucer vine) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 2m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Greenhouse, Conservatory, Indoor, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light, In growth, water freely & feed monthly. Outdoors, grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny site. Treat as an annual or overwinter indoors if possible.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Cobaea scandens
Other names
Cup and saucer vine, Cathedral bells, Cups and saucers, Mexican ivy, Monastery bells
Genus
Cobaea Cobaea
Species
C. scandens - C. scandens is a vigorous, tender, dense, semi-woody, evergreen climber, often grown as an annual, with pinnate leaves, each leaf divided into four oblong to elliptic, dark green leaflets with an accompanying hooked, branched tendril. From summer into autumn, fragrant, bell-shaped flowers open greenish-white and age to purple.
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers are honey scented
Habit
Climbing, Twining
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Purple in Summer; Purple in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Pruning
Provide a support for the twining stems. Prune after flowering.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Cobaea scandens (Cup and saucer vine) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 2m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Greenhouse, Conservatory, Indoor, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light, In growth, water freely & feed monthly. Outdoors, grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny site. Treat as an annual or overwinter indoors if possible.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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