Tender climbers

As some may know I have recently aquired a conservatory/garden room.So my mind has turned to climbers to cover the back wall and go across the roof. As they will have some winter protection I can consider tender climbers. This is a new field for me, so I have been doing some research and thought that I might put my results in a thread for others to see.

All the following plants will grow in a conservatory, and many can be grown as annuals outside. However there seems to be little information about growing some of them in the UK, consequently details such as ultimate height and flowering period tend to relate to their natural habitat, and may be quite different in the UK. The winter minimums also are only a guide as a temperature of -8C overnight, in say South America, followed by a blazing hot day bears no relation to the UK winter where it can remain below freezing for weeks at a time.

The plants are in no particular order.


Hardenbergia violacea – Vine Lilac

Origin : Australia
Family : Fabaceae (pea family)
Growth : evergreen - vigorous
Height : 4 – 5 m
Flower : purple
Period : spring
Sun : full sun to part shade
Winter : min 0C or a bit below, zone 9b

Can be grown outside or under glass. Likes medium to low humidity and not too much water.


Pyrostegia venusta – Flame Vine

Origin : South America
Family : Bignoniaceae (Jacaranda family)
Growth : evergreen - vigorous
Height : 9 – 12 m
Flower : orange
Period : autumn
Sun : full sun
Winter : min 0C or a bit below, zone 9a

This is a liana, ie a vigorous woody climber commonly grown in tropical and sub tropical areas. It needs to grow very fast and very tall to get above the jungle canopy to where the sunlight is. In hot climates these can be invasive.

Many of these plants in a container in the UK will be much smaller that the above height suggests. Also with nearly all such climbers you can prune them down to be bush like rather than very tall.

I suspect that the hotter the conditions, you can give it, the better it will flower.


Petrea volubilis – Sandpaper Vine

Origin : Central America
Family : Verbenacea (verbena family)
Growth : evergreen - vigorous
Height : 12 m
Flower : white/purple-blue
Period : spring/summer
Sun : full sun
Winter : min possibly 0C, zone 10a

This is known as Sandpaper Vine because of the rough sandpaper texture of the leaves. The good news is that the leaves are so rough that virtually nothing will eat them.


Tecomaria capensis – Cape Honeysuckle

Origin : South Africa
Family : Bignoniaceae (Jacaranda family)
Growth : evergreen - vigorous
Height : 4+ m
Flower : orange/red
Period : autumn/winter
Sun : full sun to part shade
Winter : min slightly below 0C, zone 9a

Comes from the Cape of Good Hope, but is not a true honeysuckle.


Thunbergia grandiflora – Bengal Clock Vine

Origin : China, India
Family : Acanthaceae (Acanthus family)
Growth : evergreen - vigorous
Height : 15 m
Flower : white, blue
Period : March to November at Kew
Sun : shade tolerant
Winter : min 0C

This can be found growing near the banks of rivers in India. It’s a more tender relation of the better known T. alata or Black-eyed Susan vine., which has an orange flower with a black centre.


Tropaeolum peregrinum – Canary Creeper

Origin : Peru
Family : Tropaeolaceae (nasturtium family)
Growth : evergreen - vigorous
Height : 3 - 5 m
Flower : yellow
Period : summer
Sun : full sun
Winter : min 4 C, zone 9

This often grown in the UK as an annual. Its close relative T. majus is better known as the garden nasturtium


Solandra maxima – Cup of Gold Vine

Origin : Peru
Family : Solanaceae (potato family)
Growth : evergreen - vigorous
Height : 9 – 12 m
Flower : yellow
Period : summer
Sun : full sun
Winter : min just below 0 C, zone 8b

As you can see the flowers are massive. I it saw in flower at the Eden project in February, but growers in Florida say it flowers in summer. All parts are poisonous. It gets very big.


Mauraynda scandens – was Asarina scandens – Creeping Snapdragon

Origin : Mexico
Family : Scrophulariacea (Snapdragon family)
Growth : evergreen
Height : 2.5 m
Flower : white, pink, red, blue, violet
Period : June to October
Sun : full sun
Winter : min just above 0 C, zone 9

This is a tender perennial, but is very practical in the UK when grown as an annual. It must not be put outside until after the last frost. If its warm enough, ie in Florida, it will retain its leaves overwinter, but will drop them in the UK in a cold greenhouse. Delicate and lovely. The name has recently been changed from Asarina


Pandorea jasminoides – Pink Bower Vine

Origin : Australia
Family : Bignoniaceae (Jacaranda family)
Growth : evergreen
Height : 1.2 – 1.8 m
Flower : white, pink
Period : March to December indoors
Sun : full sun
Winter : min -2 C, zone 9a

It will flower sporadically outside in the UK but according to www.roselandhouse.co.uk Pandorea makes one of the best conservatory climbers.


Tropaeolum speciosum AGM – Flame Creeper

Origin : Chili
Family : Tropaeolaceae (nasturtium family)
Growth : evergreen
Height : 3 m
Flower : red
Period : June, July, August, September
Sun : full sun, part shade
Winter : min -5C

This is also known as the “Scottish Flame Flower”, and it appears to grow better in the Scottish cool than in other parts of the UK. The spurred flowers are followed by spherical blue fruits
Another relative of the garden nasturtium

 

Campsis radicans – Trumpet Creeper

Origin : South eastern United States
Family :Bignoniaceae (Jacaranda family)
Growth : deciduous
Height : 8 - 12 m
Flower : white, yellow, orange to red
Period : summer
Sun : full sun
Winter : min –5 C, quoted as hardy, but I suspect may need some winter protection

Climbs using aerial roots like ivy, Even as far north as New England in the United States this is regarded as potentially invasive.


Jasminum polyanthum AGM – Pink Jasmine

Origin : China
Family : Oleaceae (Olive family)
Growth : evergreen
Height : 2.5 - 4 m
Flower : white with pale pink buds
Period : late winter/ early spring
Sun : full sun, part sun
Winter : tender, but will survive outside in quite a few coastal areas, zone 8

A very popular house/conservatory plant with a delightful fragrance. Its often sold twisted around a metal hoop, which you can remove to get a larger plant. Plants kept cool over the winter tend to flower
better than those in a central heated house.


Stephanotis floribunda - Madagascar jasmine

Origin : Madagascar
Family : Apocynaceae (Periwinkle family)
Growth : evergreen
Height : 4.5 m
Flower : white
Period : May to October
Sun : bright but not too much direct sun
Winter : min 7 C

Stephanotis is a popular houseplant, grown for its glossy leaves and fragrant blossom from May to October. It thrives in a heated conservatory, but can equally make an attractive display in a warm, light room. Needs humidity.


Ipomea quamoclit – Cypress Vine

Origin : Mexico and northern South America
Family : Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory family)
Growth : true annual – but fast growing
Height : 9 m
Flower : pink, red
Period : summer and autumn
Sun : full sun
Winter : will self seed

This is a variation on the more common Morning Glory . There are many Ipomea varieties on offer in a wide range of colours. They are generally tender perennials that are grown outside in the UK as annuals. Quamclit is usually quoted as a true annual, but I see it stated as a perennial on one site.

Morning Glory generally likes heat and they tend to do better, outside, in the south of Britain than the north.


Eccremocarpus scaber - Chilean glory flower

Origin : Chile
Family : Bignoniaceae (Jacaranda family)
Growth : evergreen
Height : 2.5 to 4 m
Flower : orange
Period : July, August, September, October
Sun : full sun
Winter : marginal hardy

Reasonably hardy and has been grown outside in Yorkshire - but better treated as marginal.


Cobaea scandens AGM – Cup and Saucer Vine

Origin : Mexico
Family : Polemoniaceae (Phlox family)
Growth : deciduous
Height : 2.5 to 4 m
Flower : white, blue, purple
Period : 4 months, August to first frosts outside, or 8 months in a greenhouse
Sun : full sun
Winter : min 5C

Like all tender climbers, I suspect that you must not put this out too early and it needs warmth to do well. Mine didn’t flower last year. It got very cold when I put it out too early (as I was going away) and I think it sulked thereafter. However all sources say it is a strong climber and good flowerer.


Rhodochiton atrosanguineum AGM – Purple Bell Vine

Origin : Mexico
Family : Scrophulariaceae (Snapdragon family)
Growth : deciduous
Height : 1.5 to 2.5 m
Flower : dark pink + dark purple
Period : June till frost
Sun : full sun, part shade
Winter : not below 5 C, zone 10a

Technically a tender perennial, this is more often grown as an annual in the UK. A popular and long flowering climber. I grew this last year and it was excellent.


Trachelospermum jasminoides AGM – Star Jasmine

Origin : South east Asia
Family : Apocynaceae (Periwinkle family)
Growth : evergreen
Height : 4 to 8 m
Flower : white
Period : summer
Sun : full sun, part shade
Winter : not below 0 C, zone 9

Very fragrant, particularly in the evening. Will grow outside in the summer, but needs winter protection. This may be slow to start but becomes vigorous with age.


Bomarea hirtella - climbing alstroemeria

Origin : Central and South America
Family : Alstroemeriaceae (Alstroemeria family)
Growth : evergreen above 5 C
Height : 2 to 3.6 m
Flower : yellow, salmon, pink
Period : summer
Sun : full sun
Winter : hardy in the south

There is quite a range of Bomareas but they are not seen that often. Drought tolerant when fully established. Roseland House Nursery says flowers all summer. Some sources say zone 9 – so don’t take hardiness for granted.


Allamanda blanchetii – Cherry Allamanda

Origin : Mexico to Argentina
Family : Apocynaceae (Periwinkle family)
Growth : evergreen
Height : 3 to 3.6 m
Flower : pink, magenta, violet
Period : summer – can flower 12 months of the year if hot enough
Sun : full sun, part shade
Winter : min 5 C, zone 9a

This is supposed to be a very long flowering plant, but like any tropical climber – the warmer it is the better it will flower. There is a yellow version A. carthatica as well A. violacea and others.


Well, I have stopped out of exhaustion rather than run out of climbers . There are plenty more. I haven't mentioned Passiflora, as other members know much more about it than me. Then there is a whole group of scrambling shrubs such as Plumbago that can be persuaded to climb.

Please do add some more. And please add your experiences if you have grown any of these.

 

Some really attractive climbers there Peter. I particularly like Pandorea Jasminoides. I think something perfumed like a Jasmine is a must have in a conservatory.

 

Nice summary, probably a little cautious on the hardiness of some such as Trachelospermum and Tropaeolum speciosum which is hardy in most of the UK on a sheltered wall/tree, but very nice guide. I'm actually looking for a tender climber for my side border.. Pandorea and Bomarea fits the bill nicely. I grow Jasmine polyanthum outdoors, unfortunately this variety has a fixed, and short flowering season.

 

That is so very true Peter. I lost my Pandorea jasminoides last winter despite keeping it above freezing all winter.

Other thoughts;
Eccromocarpus scaber - The true species (can't speak for the Tresco hybrids) is totally hardy. Winters of 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13 no problems.
Asarina scandens - Sues have been evergreen this winter so far.
Rhodochiton - did you get any seed from yours. I've found that the seed I collect is ideal for the paper towel method.
Bomarea edulis/hirtella - Not sure that your photo is correct? Lonicera species maybe? Here is my B.edulis....................



I have found that it dislikes the summer heat from being under glass. Charlie P. assures me that it will do better in the ground and survive.
Tropaeolum peregrinum - lovely as this is I would be wary of growing it under glass. I have found it to be a total pest magnet, the most spectacular being the year it was destroyed in 24hrs by flea beetles (they left the Asarina that was growing with it alone).

Ones to add maybe?
Duranta erecta
Gloriosa
Passiflora alata
Thunbergia gregorii.........................


If you're after a real show stopper what about Thunbergia mysorensis?

 

No Passiflora?

 

Stephen - nice to hear your experience. I admit the winter minimums are not very precise, but they seem to vary such a lot on different sites. My main objective was to separate those that needed more than 10C over winter, which I couldn't grow, from those that would survive at 10 C which is the temperature of my garden room.

Your point about Jasmine polyanthum outdoors raises the point that some (many?) flower very much better with the higher warmth of indoors. Charlie Pridham (Roseland House Nursery) made the point for Pandorea - flowers intermittently out of door but continuously for 8 month indoors.

LongK - I was sure you had some experience with these. As you say, hardiness is a very difficult area. Even Eccremocarpus that was growing outside at Harlow Carr (3 miles from me) one summer died the following winter.

I never did get any seeds from my Rhodichiton - but that may have just been my laziness. So I have bought some more.

You are right about the Bomarea picture (thank you) so I have changed it to a more representive one. I had my doubts but chose it because it was such a good looking picture. I can't find it now but I am sure it was a Bomarea. I thought I might have got it from the Strange Wonderful Things site, which I love. I couldn't find it there, but they showed B. edulis (sys hirtella) which looks very pink and different from our pictures.

Thanks for the other pictures. As soon as you get away from the need to be totally hardy, there are just so many others. I put up 20 pictures, and currently have seeds or plants of 18 of them. I would love to go on but I am having serious doubts about how much space they will occupy.

Sirius - yes no Passiflora. I was hoping that someone who knows more about them than me might oblige. That's an invitation to all.

 

I would go for Jasmine, the scent is sooooo lovely!!

Val

 

Nice collection of climbers Peter, I've only grown a few of those you list, so cant comment much.
I must say though, that when given ideal conditions for the more rampant ones you could find yourself lacking space.
It would be a balancing act between giving them enough root space, bearing in mind you would probably be growing in pots, and allowing them to grow to maturity.
Just off the top of my head I would say Cobea, Ecremocarpus, and Campsis, would not like it, or get too big and leafy.
I can see Passiflora alata being a very nice plant to try, also the Rhodochiton, the Tropaeolums are surely outdoor plants?
I really like the T, grandiflora, as for Pandorea, I'm hoping to grow that as a half hardy, just giving it winter protection after a hard cut back.

 

Here's P.antioquensis (I think)....................


I like these "dangly" ones, but I'm led to believe that they prefer a little shade and possibly cooler temperatures. This was grown outdoors in possibly a little too much sun, but by September it was blooming like billy'o.

I grow P.alata in the greenhouse.........................

 

More info please!

 

I think any of the slightly tender passifloras would be a good buy, a couple that I have are hybrids,
"Purple haze" which like P. alata has a scent.


Ans "Anastacia", which is more of a scrambling plant, but flowers abundantly once established.

 

My object, inside my garden room, is to have a garden - rather than just a collection of plants. So my purpose is to find some climbers to clothe the inside permanently - that way they can get big and look impressive.

Ultimately, I probably only need about 4 - one at each corner - or maybe 6. But the question is which 6. As Pete and LongK have said, some (perhaps a lot) may not be suitable for one reason or another. Its one thing to find pretty pictures on the web, but without first hand experience (yours and mine) I don't have any way of knowing which will work. So I am going to try as many as I can. The biggest problem could be heat in the summer. My room is a lean-to so there is no opening in the roof itself. It has a number of windows and vents, but I won't know how hot it will get until the summer. Perhaps the heat will favour the more tropical plants.

Pete - In what way would they not like it?

I do agree - and thank you Pete and LongK for your pictures. I would really like a pink/red one - that Anastacia is beautiful as well as LongK's two. I will be visiting Hill House Nursery (in Devon) sometime in the spring. They sell quite a few, and its an opportunity to tap Ray's brains.

The only plants I have are the three white Jasmine types - all small and bought recently, and Campsis radicans, grown from seed last spring. I have seeds of almost all the others, ordered in the last few days from Jungle Seeds, Plant World, and Sunshine Seeds in Germany. The only seeds I haven't got are the Pyrostegia and Thunbergia grandiflora in blue. Sunshine Seeds does them both, but is out of stock, and Jungle Seeds does a white T. grandiflora but not blue. However Hill House sells the blue as a plant.

Having seeds is one thing. Getting them to germinate and grow is another.

I see that Sunshine Seeds does a purple T. crispa and Seedsplants.com sells T. mysorensis. I have had a look again and it does look very tempting - it dangles. From their site :-
My personal favourite has to be the ‘Clock Vine’ Thunbergia mysorensis, another fast grower in warm conditions that’s best suited to a conservatory here in Britain. It has to be one of the most beautiful climbers in the world! In the tropics and sub-tropics, this treasure flowers almost every day of the year, with a mature specimen bearing hundreds of 3ins yellow and russet-red flowers in spectacular hanging chains 3-4ft long, which would look excellent hanging from greenhouse or conservatory rafters. Like T. grandiflora it requires minimum winter temperature of around 7C (45F) though I’m sure it would appreciate being warmer!

Bummer! I have just looked again, they only sell the plant not the seeds.

 

In my opinion, E.scaber would be rampant. As in problematic in a confined space.

Top plan! As you've made it that far from Yorkshire why not carry on for a few miles more and pick Charlies brains at Roseland House. There are Bomarea that are better suited to growing under cover.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-Seeds-T...engal-Clock-vine-Blue-Skyflower-/280994344895

T.mysorensis at Oxfords Botanic Gardens has a very long flowering period. It's in the passageway that links the various houses together - heated, but the door to the outside world is constantly opening and closing.

 

longK & Pete, thanks for obliging.
Passiflora are among my fave climbers.