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Cobaea scandens is often confused with:
Clematis viticella Flower detail
Clematis x jackmanii Clematis x jackmanii
Native alternative(s) for Cobaea scandens:
Clematis crispa Clematis crispa
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Bougainvillea glabra Bougainvillea
Clematis texensis Clematis texensis
Clematis x jackmanii Clematis x jackmanii

Cobaea scandens

Previously known as:

  • Cobaea lasseri
  • Rosenbergia scandens
Phonetic Spelling
ko-BEE-uh SKAN-dens
Description

Tender tropical perennial vine grown as an annual with showy flowers and loves the sun.

To propagate file the seeds to speed germination.  Adding excess fertilizer will promote foliage at the expense of flowers.  It prefers moist, well-drained soil.  Works well in vertical spaces but needs a fence, arbor or trellis to climb.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.
 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba'
    White flowers
  • 'Royal Plum'
    Purple flowers
  • 'Variegata'
    Variegated leaves
'Alba', 'Royal Plum', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#white flowers#fast growing#cream flowers#tropical vine#vertical spaces#malodorous#arbor#tropical feel#bell-shaped flowers#fence#trellis
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba'
    White flowers
  • 'Royal Plum'
    Purple flowers
  • 'Variegata'
    Variegated leaves
'Alba', 'Royal Plum', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#white flowers#fast growing#cream flowers#tropical vine#vertical spaces#malodorous#arbor#tropical feel#bell-shaped flowers#fence#trellis
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cobaea
    Species:
    scandens
    Family:
    Polemoniaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico
    Wildlife Value:
    In their native habitat, flowers are pollinated by bats. (NB. Flower-visiting bats do not occur in eastern North America)
    Climbing Method:
    Tendrils
    Dimensions:
    Height: 25 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Vine
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    12-24 feet
    24-60 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    1a, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Cup
    Funnel
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    fused petals
    Flower Description:
    Bell, cup or funnel-shaped flowers start out green and mature to purple with an unpleasant musky odor when they first open. They hang upside down the vine and have a saucer-like green caylx around them. Flowers will remain on the vine for about 4 days. and they appear from late summer to early fall.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Pinnate leaves with four leaflets
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Vertical Spaces