Tropaeolum speciosum
Tropaeolum Speciosum is a climbing plant which I would not be without in the garden. A few years ago a number of the conifers in our back garden were becoming overgrown to such an extent that the natural light coming in to the garden was being reduced greatly. Drastic action had to be taken and they were cut down. We left the trunks of a few with the intention of growing Clematis. 
One of these trunks has been taken over with a stunning climber,which has found its own way to this position. Tropaeolum Speciosum a member of the Nasturtium family, we planted this climber in the garden about fifteen years ago, it readily seeds itself and pops up all over the place, only occasionally finding itself in the wrong position. It produces scrambling stems which, from early July until September are covered in beautiful small flame-red flowers, like airy nasturtiums the foliage is also very attractive, with many five-lobed leaves covering thin wiry stems that clamber up in an attractive tangle over trees and shrubs. Tropaeolum Speciosum was given the RHS award of garden merit.
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Tropaeolum, really does spread itself around, here it is starting to scramble through the Yew hedge going up the garden path and also climbing up the garden arch
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I don’t think it spoils the look or harms the Holly Golden King.
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Myra thought it would be a change to show the back garden from another angle and suggested taking a few pictures from the bedroom upstairs. Here it is quite late in the evening on August 26th.
Hi, thanks for reaching out. Surprised I didn’t mention details of this in my post, IT WAS ONE OF MY EARLIER CONTRIBUTIONS. The Information you read was correct. Wait until March before cutting back fully. If you find it too untidy over the Winter, you can trim some away. Dont hesitate to come back.
Hello, found your website while trawling the net to find some information about what if anything we can do to protect our 1 surviving Scottish flame flower plant which we bought this summer 2022. The plant is still full of greenery at these first very cold frosts and after searching all I can find is cut it back when it dies down and it will take care of itself. Could or should we cover it with something ? Any help on this would be really helpful and appreciative……we are in Perth, Perthshire.
I doubt very much if you will get it to take in a pot.
Spring or Autumn. Its a bit of a gamble as to whether these plants take. If it does you will find it self seeding generously.
One more…can it grown in a pot?
When should you plant the bareroot? Thanks.
Yes just cut it all back when it goes brown and away it goes again next Spring. Is Ian your husband?
I have tropaeolum speciosum in my garden.
Should I prune it or cut back the withered stems in the autumn/winter?
Cathy and Steve, the Tropaeolum is such a sensitive plant, it either grows like a weed or sometimes for reasons that cant be explained it will just not take a hold.
Alistair, the first of the bottom 4 photographs should be on a greeting card. What you have accomplished is truly amazing! That vine is intriguing and I’m thinking I’d love to try to find one that is in the same family over here. We have so much fence to cover LOL. We have incorporated a variety of vines to do that.
Hello Janet, probably best to wait until you move before trying the Tropaeolum. I will pass on your message to Myra. I had been intending climbing on to the house extension which has a flat roof to take pictures, then she said take them from the bedroom window, as the kids say, duh!
Wow, what a colourful back garden you have, it looks amazing. Christina
Hi Alistair, you have really got me thinking. I’ve toyed with planting Tropaeolum speciosum to clamber up the conifer in the back corner of our garden, but was put off my so many people saying it was hard to grow. But if it self seeds as readily as it seems to for you, maybe I could rely on it self seeding in at least aproximately the same place each year? Of course give that we hope to move next year this may be moot, but thank you, nothing beats hearing about someone’s practical experience of a plant.
On another note, thank Myra for prompting the alternative view of the garden, it reveals the rich tapestry of colour and texture you have created, anchored by your immaculate hedges. Impressive.
Thanks Patrick, it really is a very special vine.
OMG what a beautiful garden. The vine looks like a very special plant.
Best,
Patrick
Hello catmint, I have to say, I am not always a fan of host plants.
dear Alastair, the garden looks fabulous in a different way from above. I once had a photographer visitor who recommended getting on the roof to take a photo but I am a bit scared. Having an upstairs to use is safer. Re the climber – I used not to like the blending of plants but maybe I am more laid back because now i love, it looks so natural. cheers, cm
Thanks Andrea, We are more fortunate than we sometimes think.
Hi Alistair, your bedroom window views are so lovely, the color combinations enchanting. If i have those views i might stay always near the windows!
Good luck Laura, hope they establish.
One of my favourite vines Alistair and rescued a few weedy sproutlings out of the garden and into the pot in order to strenthen and establish. Still comparatively weedy and yours are what I dream of seeing
Thanks Larry, that really means a lot, coming from the master. Hope you are getting stronger and you have the full benefit of your surgery come Spring.
Thanks Masha, I am still not happy with the long shots of our garden, still getting that grainy effect which is not present in close ups.
Carolyn, it is so very true, left to their own devices plants will thrive and often look at their best. We are enjoying the comments on Myra’s prowess. Most of what I know of gardening came from Myra.
Alistair, I think you should hire Myra as photo consultant–what a gorgeous shot of your garden. I love plants that self sow. They always seem to know exactly where I should have planted them. I am not kidding when I say that some of my best design decisions were to get out of the way and let the plants decide. Carolyn
That is a beautiful climber, although I am generally wary of big plants that readily reseed… Your back garden is amazing! I don’t think I will ever post pictures of mine after seeing yours …
Alistair… the color in your garden is absolutely amazing… I am overwhelmed by your mastery of gardening and all that you do with it! Larry
B-a-g, I have to try the Canary creeper. I would be totally lost without Myra.
Thanks Donna, always appreciate your opinion.
Bernieh, Tropaeolum is one of those plants that if it likes your garden it will grow well, yet for many it fails completely.
Thanks Bom, Myra always has good ideas, Thunbergia, wish it would grow here.
Thank you for the visit to my site, New Hampshire Gardens.
Love the photos! Beautiful Garden!!!
Wow, that is some view from upstairs! Your back garden is looking sensational. The colours are beautiful … both from the foliage and the flowers. That Tropaeolum is a stunning looking thing climbing up those trunks. It really does love your garden.
Alistair, your garden looks fantastic! I really enjoy your wide-angled views. Tell Myra, I thank her for suggesting it. Really, really fantastic!
Enjoyed reading your notes on the T. speciosum. If available here I will keep it in mind when I decide to replace my Thunbergia which my wife calls the Thunbergia monster.
I agree with Esther. This is the prettiest view. Very lush and full.
Your tropaeolums scramble around in a very artistic way. I have the canary creeper variety and its one of my favourite plants. I think you would like it if you don’t have it already.
That was a great idea from Myra – what a view to wake up to !
Thanks Esther, Off to check your site.
Cat, it really is strange how often I have heard this, I have always thought that it likes the cold Aberdeen air.
Alistair – there are many people who would be gritting their teeth to hear such casual talk of self seeding. We have sold tropaeolum to people all over the uk, who try as they might, can’t seem to get it established in their garden, but the rule seems to be that if it likes you, it really likes you. 🙂
These are the views of your garden I have liked best in all the time you have been posting.
By chance, I praised nasturtiums on my blog today.