{"product_id":"cobaea-scandens-purple","title":"Cobaea scandens Purple","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCobaea scandens\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eCup and Saucer Vine \/ Cathedral Bells\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eVigorous climbing annual reaching 4–6m in a single season, producing huge bell-shaped flowers that perform a private colour transformation over four to five days — opening pale lime-green, then striped with violet, then deepening to rich varnished purple, all framed by the leaf-like green calyx that gives the plant its \"saucer\" name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis is one of the most extraordinary climbing annuals you can grow. Native to the tropical mountain forests of Mexico, where it is a perennial woody vine climbing into the canopy of trees, Cobaea grows as a half-hardy annual in the UK — completing a full season from seed sown in January to a 6m vine in flower from August to November. The flowers themselves conduct a slow private drama: emerging as papery, five-cornered lime-green buds, opening to bell-shaped flowers still green, then gradually striped with violet as the pigment develops, finally deepening to a rich varnished purple over the course of three to four days. The plant always displays multiple stages simultaneously — green buds, violet-striped bells, fully purple cups, and fading past-peak flowers all visible at once. \u003cstrong\u003eRHS Award of Garden Merit\u003c\/strong\u003e holder. Sweet musky fragrance released in the evening. Adored by bees and bumblebees in UK gardens (in its native Mexico, it is bat- and moth-pollinated, which explains the evening fragrance and robust flower structure).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA note on growing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eTwo crucial points often missed:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-decimal flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSow the seeds vertically, on their edge.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cobaea seeds are large, flat and wafer-like — if laid flat on wet compost, water pools on the broad surface and the seed rots before germinating. This is by far the most common cause of Cobaea germination failure. Always push each seed into the compost on its edge so water runs off the flat faces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStart early.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cobaea needs a long growing season to flower. Sow indoors in January, February, or at the latest early March, in deep individual pots (the long taproot resents disturbance). Maintain 20–25°C; germination takes 14–21 days. Grow on through spring in bright light. Plant out only after all frost risk has passed (June) against a sunny wall, fence, trellis or pergola. The vine climbs by branched tendrils that hook onto rough surfaces — needs trellis, wires or netting to climb up smooth walls.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere it shines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eAgainst sunny walls and fences where the vigorous growth and late-season flowers transform a vertical surface from June through November. Over pergolas and arches, where the rambling stems and pendant bells create a properly architectural display. In cottage gardens, where the sheer scale and the slow flower-colour transformation become a long-running feature talking-point. \u003cstrong\u003eNote\u003c\/strong\u003e: Cobaea flowers do not last well as cut flowers — enjoy them in the garden rather than the vase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant alongside\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eCobaea flowers late, so pair with earlier climbing companions to keep the trellis interesting all season. Sweet Peas flower early in summer and fade as the heat hits — plant them on the same trellis as Cobaea, and as the Sweet Peas finish, the Cobaea takes over. Climbing Nasturtiums planted at the base hide the bare lower stems and add a splash of warm orange against the cool purple.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64766400856413,"sku":"COB-PUR","price":2.4,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0953\/1185\/5965\/files\/20488000c559d1300111d76_upscale.jpg?v=1779457433","url":"https:\/\/turfstoreuk.com\/products\/cobaea-scandens-purple","provider":"Turf Store UK ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}