Time for the climb
ANNUALS germinate, flower and produce seeds, then die… all in a single year.
So to establish climbing plants they need an early start and a bit of warmth. That helps them produce enough rampant growth to make an impression in your summer garden.
Spanish flag, or Ipomoea lobata, will bring some sunshine to the garden with its spectacular flowers, which start flame-red at the tip and fade to cream.
The twining stems will scramble up to 2.4m and cover a wigwam with ease, making a good alternative to sweet peas as a focal feature – especially in a bed with an exotic colour theme.
The blooms last well into autumn, or until a hard frost kills the plant.
Start seed in pots on the windowsill at around 21C and substantial plants can be moved into the garden in May, ready to flower in June.
You’ll have blooms to spare for the vase. They’ll last almost a week there if the stems are conditioned by searing them in boiling water for 20 seconds.
Parachutes
The Rhodochiton or purple bell vine, produces twining stems with heart-shaped leaves. An abundance of tubular, deep maroon blooms suspend from rose-red coloured parachutes from June until the frosts.
As it is best enjoyed looking up into it, grow it over an arch in a sunny, sheltered spot – or in a hanging basket.
Although a tender perennial, it’s treated as an annual, sown in spring ready for planting out after the frosts.
The flowers will survive mild autumn days and mature plants can over-winter in a greenhouse for next year.
Commonly known as the black-eyed Susan vine, Thunbergia makes a great trailing or climbing container plant.
Regular pinching will encourage lots of lush growth and abundant flowers.
To cover a trellis fast, grow morning glory. Its trumpet-shaped blooms come in a variety of colours, from pinks, reds and purples to classic Heavenly Blue.
Start the seeds six to eight weeks before the last expected spring frost, soaking them in tepid water for 24 hours first to speed up germination.
Also sow some seeds of moonflower Ipomoea alba – a night bloomer with fragrant white flowers, perfect around windows and doors and in sitting areas. natural predators by growing flowers such as marigolds, which attract pest-eating insects. Keep logs in a quiet corner to provide homes for wildlife.
Recycle
IF you can spend only two or three hours per week plot tending your veg is then make sure it no larger than 3 x 6m. Make your own fertilizer by composting vegetable peelings and garden waste in a worm bin. Buy a water butt. Rain is free and provides for the garden in times of shortage. Cover soil with bark or even cardboard to conserve valuable moisture in the soil and keep down weeds.