Guide to growing garden plants - Cymbalaria (Kenilworth ivy)
Although Cymbalaria are half hardy perennials these ivies are normally grown as half hardy annuals by gardeners.
They have purple and yellow tubular flowers that bloom in the middle of summer.
Some of the common names for Cymbalaria include Kenilworth Ivy, Ivy leaved toadflax and Coliseum Ivy.
How to grow Kenilworth Ivy (Cymbalaria)
If you are planting members of the Cymbalaria genus such as Kenilworth Ivy from seed outdoors then they should be sown on the soil surface after the last frost of spring. They like to grow in sunny areas, but benefit greatly from receiving shade in very hot areas. Cymbalaria like to grow in moist soil that has a somewhat alkaline pH. Seedlings of Kenilworth Ivy and other Cymbalaria species can be grown from seed indoors. They should be set off about 10 weeks before you plant them out after the last frost of spring. They normally take about two to four weeks to germinate in the light at a temperature of 15 to 18 degrees Celsius. Once the Cymbalaria seedlings are ready they should be transplanted outside with a spacing of about 15cm.
Caring for Kenilworth Ivy in the garden
These ivies take very little looking after; they should be watered regularly, and cut back and dead headed before setting seeds to prevent them from taking over the garden.