Tropaeolum peregrinum

CANARY BIRD VINE

Tropaeolum peregrinum
CANARY BIRD VINE

The bright canary yellow, fragrant flowers resemble birds in flight all over Tropaeolum peregrinum.

Canary yellow, fragrant flowers like birds flying

Creating a talking piece in the garden all through summer and autumn.
So make sure you plant Canary Bird Vine outside a window, or near your outdoor seating, so you can enjoy the show as well as the perfume from this lovely climber.

Birds bees & butterflies also love the nectar rich flowers

And the fragrant, bright flowers attract birds, bees and butterflies giving great life to the garden.

Spectacular low climber

This spectacular climber grows vigorously  to 2.5m high, and self twines, but without strangling it’s host.
So it is perfectly safe to allow it to scramble through other trees and shrubs to great decorative effect.
Or up a tripod and over an arch.
And it is a treat on a wire frame in a large pot.

Pale blue-green foliage shows off the canary flowers so well

The foliage of Tropaeolum peregrinum is also lovely.
Because the vine is covered with finely fingered, pale blue-green, very pretty leaves.
Which set off the canary-yellow flowers very elegantly.

Thrives in tropical conditions or a warm sheltered spot

Tropaeolum peregrinum is native to South America, so it is a perennial treasure for gardeners in sub-tropical and tropical climates.
While those of us in cooler frosty climates have to treat it as an annual and re-sow each year.

Low maintenance easy growing vine

Tropaeolum peregrinum enjoys Full Sun to Part Shade and needs some moisture over the growth period. Though it is not a thirsty plant and does not need large amounts as water as long as it is regular in hot weather.
Canary Bird Vine enjoys well drained loam or sandy soil, but does not like heavy, clay soil. It also enjoys some lime.

Does not need pruning

Happily Tropaeolum peregrinum is rarely troubled by any pests and diseases; and does not need any pruning.
However it is frost tender in cold climates and will need replanting annually if cut by frost.
Though it can self seed in its preferred conditions.

2.5m. High climber x 1m. Wide.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Seeds of Tropaeolum peregrinum, Canary Bird Vine, can be sown at any time when warmth can be provided.

Tip for starting Canary Bird Vine seeds quickly: First soak the seeds overnight in a glass of previously boiled, warm (not boiling) water. Then sow next morning.
Seeds that have sunk to the bottom by morning have taken water on board and are ready to sow.
While seeds that are still floating will need to be dried and then gently rubbed between 2 pieces of fine sandpaper or with some sand in your hands. This will nick the hard seed coating and allow moisture to penetrate.

Sow indoors for quick & early plants: Begin by sowing seeds into a punnet filled with good quality compost.
Or you can use small jiffy pots or plant tubes, as Tropaeolum peregrinum seedlings grow quickly, quickly develop long roots, and do not like being disturbed too much.
Then cover the seed with mix to the same depth as the diameter of the seed, approx. 6mm.

Now moisten the punnet thoroughly from below, by standing it in a shallow water bath and allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Canary Bird Vines love warmth to sprout

Then place the punnet in a well-lit, warm place such as a window sill (not in direct sunlight), or on a heat mat if you have one.
Tropaeolum peregrinum seeds love warmth to germinate rapidly.
So temperatures of 15-21 degrees C. are optimum for rapid germination.

Then seedlings will begin to emerge in 7-14 days.

However in the unusual event that your seeds are shy to germinate – wrap the the seed punnet in glad-wrap or a plastic bag.
And place in the fridge (not the freezer) for 4-6 weeks.
This will mimic a winter chill, breaking the natural seed dormancy, and prepare the seeds for germination.

Then remove punnet from fridge, unwrap, and place again in a warm, well-lit place or on a heat mat.

Seed Count: 15 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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