A deciduous twining climber with underground tubers, and aerial stems bearing lance-shaped, mid-green leaves, to 13cm (5in) long. In summer, it bears rounded, branched flower stems with bell-shaped, crimson or purple-red flowers of 1.5cm long.
1.5-2.5 metres
1-1.5 metres
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost, with added sharp sand, in full light with shade from hot sun. Provide support. When in growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; keep just moist in winter. Outdoors, grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun.
Sow seed at 13-16°C (55-61°C) in spring. Divide established plants in late winter or early spring as growth begins.
Cut back dead and flowered stems to ground level in winter.
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and aphids under glass.
Generally disease-free