A vigorous and radiant heirloom flowering vine. Grown in our climate as an annual, Mina lobata easily climbs over 10 feet, covered with red-tinged, three-lobed leaves which look like upside-down fleur-de-lis. Unusual and colorful blooms are festooned in linear clusters of six or more on arching stems, and change color as they enlarge and open from crimson red to yellowy-orange to creamy yellow. Grow in a sunny but sheltered spot, providing good support, with rich, light, moist soil.

20 seeds

PLANTING

Ipomoea lobata

Annual

Germination: 7-30 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 70-80F, soaking seeds overnight aid the germination

Seed Planting Depth: Sow deep

Starting Indoors: Start indoors 3-5 weeks before the last frost. Provide 70-80F soil temperatures until germination. Transplant 8-12 apart after the last frost.

Sowing Outdoors: Direct sow outdoors after the last frost. Sow a few seeds every 8-12, thin to the strongest seedling

Growth Habit: Climbing vine

Height and Width: 10-12 x 12

Spacing: 8-12 apart

Light Needs: Full sun

Soil Needs: Average to rich, moist, well-drained

Approximate days to flower from seed: Blooms in 90-100 days

Uses: Fences, walls, trellises, and arbors, containers and planters, backdrop plant, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

Care: Water seedlings regularly until established. Amend the soil with compost before transplanting. Mulching helps retain moisture. Over-fertilizing with nitrogen can result in low to no flowers.