Madeira Vine

An vigorous, twining climber that grows from substantial tuberous roots. While often grown as a foliage plant, it produces pendulous racemes of tiny, fragrant white flowers in late summer. In the UK, it is often grown in large containers with a trellis or against a very warm, south-facing wall. The heart-shaped, succulent leaves are bright green and add a lush, tropical feel to the garden. It is relatively fast-growing and can quickly cover a screen or arch during the summer months. Because it is tender, it is safest to grow it in a way that the tubers can be protected from frost. Many UK gardeners treat it similarly to Dahlias, lifting the tubers or moving the pot into a frost-free conservatory. It thrives in full sun and requires plenty of water during the height of summer to maintain its vigorous growth habit. Its scent is particularly noticeable on warm August evenings.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Rich, well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H2 — down to 1°C.

Flowering: Aug, Sep.