Cobaea scandens 'Purple' Seeds
If you have an ugly fence, a bare trellis, or an archway that needs covering fast, the Cup and Saucer Vine is your answer. This vigorous climber produces masses of lush, tropical foliage and huge, bell-shaped flowers that look like they belong in a jungle.
The blooms are fascinating to watch. They emerge as a pale, creamy green "cup" resting on a green "saucer" (calyx). As they mature over a few days, the cup floods with colour, turning a deep, rich inky-purple. It blooms late in the season (August to the first frosts), providing a spectacular finale to the gardening year when other climbers are fading.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Cobaea scandens is a Half-Hardy Annual (in the UK).
In its native Mexico, it is a perennial woody vine. In our climate, it grows rapidly from seed, flowers its socks off, and is killed by the first hard frost. It needs a long growing season to flower, so it must be started early indoors.
The "Gripper": This vine climbs using tendrils that branch out and hook onto anything they touch. It is self-clinging but needs a rough surface (trellis, wire, or netting) to grab onto.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Crucial Tip: These seeds are large and flat. If you lay them flat on wet compost, they will rot. Always push them into the soil vertically (on their edge) so water runs off them.
Germination:
Sow indoors early, from January to March. Sow one seed per small pot. They need warmth (20-25°C) to germinate, so a heated propagator or a warm airing cupboard is ideal. Germination takes 14-21 days.
Where to Sow:
They need a sunny, sheltered spot. They will sulk in the shade. Plant them out only when all risk of frost has passed (late May/June).
Care While Growing:
Potting On: These grow fast! You will likely need to pot them on into larger containers with a small cane for support before it's warm enough to plant them outside.
Feeding: Feed with a tomato fertiliser once the first flower buds appear to encourage blooms.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Cobaea scandens |
| Common Name | Cup and Saucer Vine / Cathedral Bells |
| Hardiness | H2 (Half-Hardy - Needs Frost Protection) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 3m - 4m (Very Tall) |
| Spread | ↔️ 1.5m |
| Spacing | 🌱 60cm apart |
| Great for | 🧱 Covering Fences ⛩️ Arches & Pergolas 🌺 Exotic Gardens 📅 Late Summer Colour |
| Seed Count | Approx. 15 seeds per packet (Large seeds) |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
Since Cobaea flowers late (August onwards), pair it with earlier bloomers to keep the display going all season:
- 🌸 Sweet Peas: The Early Shift. Sweet Peas flower early in summer and fade as the heat hits. Plant them on the same trellis as Cobaea; as the Sweet Peas finish, the Cobaea will take over and cover the dying stems with fresh green foliage.
- 🏵️ Climbing Nasturtiums: The Ground Cover. Cobaea puts all its energy into growing up, often leaving "bare legs" at the bottom. Plant nasturtiums at the base to cover the soil and add a splash of orange to contrast with the purple bells.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors Jan-March. Plant out June. Flowers Aug-Nov.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||||
| Plant Out | 🌱 | |||||||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Not a Cut Flower
While beautiful on the vine, Cobaea flowers do not last long when cut. Enjoy them in the garden rather than the vase!
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This plant is an RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) winner, certifying it as a reliable, high-performing plant for British gardens.
- Regular price
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£2.40 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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£2.40
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