In article ,
Kay Easton wrote:

Akebia

Quinata? If so, it is very deciduous, not that densely leafy, but
no problem outside. Its stems are fairly short-lived, but it shoots
from the base and layers readily. It takes a few years to establish,
and will not flower until then.

Eccremocarpus

Still looking happy in the greenhouse, so might be possible south facing
in a sunny spot.

It is. It dies down in winter, but will reseed as well as overwinter.
However, it is tricky to establish. I did it once, but have failed
several times since. It will usually flower the first year.

Cobaea

Very annual in Cambridge, and doesn't seem to flower until autumn.
I don't know if it needs a long growing season, or is day length
constrained.

Ipomea

Will be clobbered by frost, and can be a bit slow to flower unless grown
early and fast.

Which? There are lots, and most are strongly annual. The hardier ones
will flower the first year but, as you say, some won't get there.

Why not try Convolvulus minor - same family as the little pink weed, but
it climbs to about 6 feet and has flowers in pink, purple and blue.
Ipomea-ish in general feel, but tolerates cooler summers better.

And various other species - I have never worked out how to tell them
apart.

Apart from that, try some of the sweet peas and the other Lathyrus
species. Matucana is an old fashioned highly fragrant sweet pea in two-
tone purple. Lathyrus sativus has a variety with very striking steel
blue flowers.

Agreed.

Or a purple-leaved purple-podded climbing French bean - handsome, and
you could eat it too.

And, as someone says, common or garden runner beans.

Tropaeolum major (nasturtium) is good, if you can find the climbing
form, as is T. peregrinum. Again, both need sun and warmth. T. major
is a good salad ingredient, too.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.