Cup and Saucer Vine

The Cup and Saucer Vine, also known as the Mexican Climbing Vine when it was introduced in 1792 is actually Cobaea Scandens.

It is a perennial plant in its native Mexico but usually it’s grown as an annual here.

The plant will cover a large area, like a chain link fence or unsightly view, in one summer – it has a spread of about 25 feet in a year, and in midsummer, it bears cup and saucer flowers which emerge dramatically from green calyxes. The vine climbs by tendrils borne at the ends of its leaves, so it can be placed against a trellis or grown up a rough surfaced wall.

The flowers are the wonder of this plant: they start out as green, five-cornered, papery buds, then open to reveal the green saucer and bell-shaped flower. The pale green flower becomes striped with violet, finally changing to deep purple before dropping off the plant. The stamens descend outside the flower and are long, arching and tipped with golden pollen, giving the plant its final touch of elegance. The foliage and tendrils are shaded with violet and are beautiful from spring to late autumn frosts.

In most locations, the warmth loving Cobaea is considered an annual and you can easily grow it from seed, starting it off in the greenhouse or indoors. Soak the seeds overnight in warm water set on a radiator. Plant the seeds on edge, with a bit of the top edge exposed.

A pure white cultivar also exists, as does a fairly rare variegated form.

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