Guide to growing garden plants - Cobaea (Cathedral bells)
Members of the Cobaea genus are climbing vines that can reach 4 metres in size.
Although they are half hardy perennials in nature gardeners often treat the plants as half hardy annuals.
They have bell shaped flowers of white, yellow or purple. Cobaea is know by the more common names of Cathedral bells, Mexican Ivy, and Cup and Saucer vine.
They flower form summer to Autumn.
How to grow cathedral bells (Cobaea)
If planning to grow Cobaea from seeds indoors then the seeds should be nicked with a knife and sown in peat pots then covered lightly wit topsoil. Cathedral bells take around two to four weeks to germinate and should be grown at about 22 to 24 degrees centigrade. Cobaea should be started about 2 months before the seedlings are due to be transplanted in the middle of spring after the last possible frost. the seedlings should be spaced at about one meter into a sunny part of the garden.
Caring for Cobaea
Once growing the tips of Cobaea should be pinched to create branching. Cobaea should be watered regularly and supported on a trellis.