Cobaea scandens Purple

The most dramatic climber you can grow from seed in a single season. Cobaea scandens Purple — the Cup and Saucer Vine — produces large, bell-shaped flowers that open lime-green and deepen to rich violet-purple as they mature, each one sitting in a flat, saucer-like calyx of pale green that gives the plant its common name.

Extraordinarily fast-growing to 4–6m in a single season, covering a fence, wall, or pergola in a cascade of purple bells from midsummer to the first frosts. Tender — start early indoors.

• Cobaea scandens — Half-Hardy Annual (H1)
• Height: 4–6m | Flowers: July–first frost
• Sow indoors February–March on edge; 20–25°C — plant out June only
• Full sun; rich, well-drained soil — provide strong support
• Flowers open lime-green, deepen to violet-purple
• Outstanding bee plant — particularly bumblebees

Give it a sunny wall and strong support and it will cover both completely by August.