CANARY CREEPER SEEDS

Tropaeolum peregrinum

As stated in ‘Armitage's Vines and Creepers', these plants are “more interesting than ornamental", and we concur. An interesting nasturtium from Peru, where it is a weed common to cornfields. Featuring lovely lobed foliage and small fringed flowers that resemble canaries in flight, the whole plant, though a vigorous climber, is diminutive. It is an excellent choice for elegant or elaborate trellises as the delicate vines will not completely obscure them, although these plants will often outgrow them. Where they are happy the vines will grow in excess of 20'.

Start these seeds indoors around 2-4 weeks before transplanting in spring, or almost anytime in frost-free maritime regions. Tuck seeds below the surface of moist soil, pressing to keep seed snug, and mist generously. Kept moist at room temperature in bright light the seeds typically sprout within a week or two. Prick out to grow on in individual deep 3" pots at cool room temperature in bright light. Harden off and allow soil to dry slightly before transplanting into moist soil in full or morning sun after all danger of frost has passed.

In the Midwest these plants should have some afternoon shade lest they succumb to extreme heat before they have the chance to become established. In the Northeast and Pacific Northwest plants set out in May or June will bloom by August and well into autumn. As with all nasturtiums, flowers are most numerous in poor soils, although these plants should have fairly consistent moisture through the heat of summer.

Very probably a tender perennial, these plants will festoon a warm greenhouse over the winter to great effect.

Packet contains at least 15 seeds.