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COUNTRY GARDEN SEED SHOP
Ipomoea lobata 'Exotic Love'
An award winning vigorous climbing plant with masses of striking red, orange and creamy yellow flowers produced from mid-summer to late autumn/winter. Ipomoea is commonly known as Spanish Flag because the funnel shaped flowers are arranged along one side of each flower stalk, like a flag. Leaves are dark green, deeply lobed and very attractive too. Stems easily climb to 2 metres or more so this is a brilliant plant for adding height to the garden either within your borders or as a distinct feature on its own. Ipomoea will happily grow in large pots on a sunny patio too.
Don't let the exotic appearance of Ipomoea put you off. It was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society prestigious Award of Garden Merit as this plant is a reliable performer in British gardens.
| Genus | Ipomoea lobata |
| Variety | Exotic Love |
| Plant Type | Half Hardy Annual |
| Height & Spread |
2 to 3 metres / 6 - 9 feet tall x 30cm/12 inches |
| Sow Seeds | For best results sow under cover in March, April or May. Grow seedlings on individually then plant out your young plants in June. |
| Thin/Plant Out | Ipomoea need plenty of space to develop and grow. When planting out allow about 30cm/12 inches between them. |
| Conditions Required | Ipomoea will sulk if the weather is to cold so don't sow too soon. Grow in full sun in moist but well drained soil. Provide sturdy support such as an arch or pergola, tall canes or trellis. Young plants grow rapidly twining around the supporting structure and netting as they grow. |
| Flower Production | Ipomoea takes around 12 weeks to flower from a spring sowing. Flowers are produced from July until the first hard frosts in October or November/December. |
| Picking | Cut Ipomoea flowers when it’s cool… early in the morning or in the evening and pop them straight into a tall bucket of fresh water. Sear stem ends in boiling water then blooms will last 5 days in a vase. |
| Planting Combinations | Ipomoea is a brilliant flower to grow because it combines beautifully with other late flowering Half Hardy Annuals such as Dahlias, Cleome and Cosmos. |