Ipomoea lobata
Words: Graham Rice
Annual climbers do not receive the attention they deserve. Even setting aside sweet peas they include some spectacular and easy to grow plants. In new gardens they’re an economical way to bring quick colour to walls and fences, in a mature garden they can make dramatic features and add colour as they climb through the dull foliage of winter flowering shrubs.
One hundred and fifteen annual climbers were grown in the Wisley trial and, as you would expect, many performed well, some performed poorly but just four developed such an impressive display that they were given an Award of Garden Merit. Three of these were forms of Ipomoea lobata.
You may know this plant better as Mina lobata but the botanists have decided that, in spite of the superficial difference in flower shape, it really belongs in the genus Ipomoea.
But what a spectacle! On each spike of flowers the buds emerge in deep fiery orange red and then steadily fade to pale cream – so for most of the life of each spike there are flowers in a succession of shades. Each plant, which will grow from about 5ft/1.3m to 8ft/2.4m in height depending on the soil and season, is so prolific that the display is simply stunning. And all set off by dark green, boldly lobed foliage.
The three forms which gained awards were I. lobata, illustrated here, and its two cultivars ‘Exotic Love’ and ‘Jungle Queen’. All were actually very similar but the two cultivars showed an additional feature: the new foliage opened purple before fading to green. The only difference between the two seemed to be that ‘Jungle Queen’ was a little less prolific – but still amazingly colourful.
Just give them all sunshine and sturdy supports - you’ll not be disappointed.