- Botanical name: Cobaea scandens f. alba
- Common name: Cathedral bells
- Family: Cobaeaceae
- Plant Type: Climber
White
Green
- Key features:
- Flowers
Also known as cathedral bells, Cobaea scandens is a vigorous vine, native to tropical America, where it grows as a woody perennial.The flowers are typically blue and thrive in the greenhouse or conservatory, but may also be grown as an annual in a sunny border or patio. Given the right conditions indoors, Cobaea scandens can flower all year long.
Cobaea scandens f. alba has clear white flowers. It’s a rampant climber, and will quickly scramble up a trellis or obelisk. For best results grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, or in containers on the patio or in the greenhouse or conservatory. If protected from frost in winter, Cobaea scandens f. alba may survive, and could even continue flowering. It makes an excellent cut flower.
How to grow Cobaea scandens
-
Plant size
3m height
10m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Tender
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / acidic
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does flower in October |
N
Plant does flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Cobaea scandens and wildlife
Cobaea scandens has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Cobaea scandens poisonous?
Cobaea scandens has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Cobaea scandens
