Cup-and-saucer vine

The Purple Bells vine is an unmissable climbing annual that brings a light touch of the exotic to the garden. Its homeland is the mountainous regions of Mexico, and it will be happy in the sun or in light partial shade. In good conditions and with suitable support, it can climb up to three meters high, easily greening pergolas, lattices, or trellises. Its greatest ornaments are its flowers. From July to October, it produces a flood of unusual dark purple tubular flowers, complemented by a fuchsia-colored calyx in the shape of a tiny umbrella. Moreover, the flowers reliably attract bees and other pollinators throughout the season. Since it is a plant highly sensitive to frost, we grow it exclusively as an ornamental annual here. It thrives best in humus-rich, well-drained soil, where it appreciates regular but not excessive watering so that the substrate does not stay waterlogged for long. The vine belongs to the species you will appreciate more directly in the flowerbed or on an outdoor terrace than in a vase, as its fragile flowers are not suitable for cutting or drying. During growth, it pays to pinch back young plants occasionally, which will encourage richer branching and subsequently a denser flush of beautiful flowers. Growing from seeds will please more advanced and patient growers, but the final result is definitely worth a little effort. It is necessary to start sowing early, ideally in February or March, to give the plant enough time to gain strength. The pre-cultivation period for this species is around ten to fourteen weeks. The seeds germinate at steady temperatures of eighteen to twenty degrees, and it usually takes fourteen to twenty-one days. It is important not to cover the tiny seeds with soil, as they need access to light for successful germination. We transplant the plants outside to their final location only when there is absolutely no risk of morning frosts.