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Climber Wall ShrubConservatory Greenhouse

Tropaeolum tricolor

three-coloured nasturtium

A summer-dormant, tuberous, perennial climber to about 1.5m with small, light green, five- or seven-lobed leaves. The small, yellow flowers are surrounded by a showy purple-tipped, orange-red calyx with a long red or purple spur, in all about 3cm long. Flowering takes place from winter to early summer

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Red Yellow Green
Summer
Autumn Green
Winter Purple Red Yellow Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Tropaeolaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing
Potentially harmful
Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

Tropaeolum can be annuals or perennials, bushy, trailing or climbing by twining stems, with simple or palmately lobed leaves and showy funnel-shaped flowers with five long-clawed petals and often a spur

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Chile

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in good light with shade from hot sun. Plant tubers in a deep container of peat-free, loam-based compost with added fine grit, starting into growth in autumn

Propagation

Propagate by separating tubers when dormant in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

No pruning required - allow to die down naturally in midsummer

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite and whitefly

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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