Sacha wrote:

in article , Roger Van Loon at
wrote on 7/4/03 10:29 pm:

Nick Maclaren wrote:

In article ,
Amanda Wilcox wrote:
I used to live in Spain and they had some beautiful flowers, purple in
colour, overhanging balconies etc. I used to see a lot of them all over.
Does anyone know their name or if I can grow them in the UK South West.

Like a deep blue greater bindweed? If so, probably Ipomoea indica
(also called several other names). It will overwinter happily with
very little protection (mainly against the wet), and my guess is
that it would grow outside on a sunny, warm wall. You need to keep
only a pot or two over the winter, as it ramps away.
(snip)

Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

I think that's very good advice. I did cover it with a mulch and, for
several years, it came up again happily from the ground - until there
was a severe winter. If I can do that where I am, it's certainly
possible in the UK South West.
I'll be planting another one out this spring.

It would be a mistake for anyone in the SW of England to assume that would
guarantee Ipomoea's safety, IMO. We live in the SW about 3 miles from
Dartmoor and can't keep it outside. But David Poole who lives in Torquay,
about 10 miles away, can. I kept it for one winter in a garden 3 miles from
him, lost it in another. I have even lost it in a 'hard' winter in Jersey.
One size does NOT fit all - even in the SW!
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk

Well. With a plant that grows so fast and comes up so very easily from
cuttings, what's wrong with trying a few of them outside?
I agree that its safety may not be "guaranteed" - but if it does here
like it did in the past, that's OK with me. A sunny south wall, a dry
spot, and a thick mulch in autumn should give it a chance, even over
here (near Antwerp, we had -11°C last winter).
As Nick said, it may need some protection against winter wet.
And I'll take some cuttings in autumn, for sure.
Regards,
Roger.


--
Walk tall, walk straight, and look the world right into the eye.

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