SOW ANNUAL CLIMBERS
It’s a cheap way to grow expensive-looking blooms
To give exotic annual climbers plenty of time to get started, so they’re able to flower for five months or more from spring, start them off by seed now – it’s a cheap way of ge ing billowing cascades of foliage and flowers all summer!
The reason many gardeners grow annual climbers from seed is the sheer value you get from just a few seed costing no more than a few pounds. Twining plants of up to 3m (10ft) tall flower for ages, with exquisite blooms. Plus most look great in pots and containers, growing up an obelisk skyward on the patio. If growing in pots or baskets, ensure you water plants really well and feed with liquid fertiliser fortnightly (except nasturtiums).
With often quite large, thick seed, try soaking the seeds (much like you might a sweet pea) overnight in cold water to soften the coat and encourage germination. Then sow thinly on to trays or pots of moist seed compost, and just cover with a fine sprinkle of more compost. The ideal temperature is around 20C (68F) in a heated propagator or on a warm windowsill, kept nice and moist, with germination taking two weeks or so. Once seedlings are large and solid enough to handle by the leaves, transplant them into their own 8cm (46F) pots and grow on. Plant out in late May or early June in pots or borders, supported well through summer. Try thunbergia draped in a hanging basket for extra wow factor.