Key Features
- Produces brilliant scarlet-red, tubular flowers that attract attention in summer gardens.
- Fast-growing annual climbing vine with delicate, feathery green foliage.
- Twining stems naturally climb trellises, fences, arches, and other garden supports.
- Bright flowers create a striking vertical display for cottage and pollinator gardens.
- Also known as Cardinal Climber, valued for its graceful foliage and vivid blooms.
Growing Benefits
- Adds vibrant red color to vertical garden spaces.
- Makes attractive use of fences, trellises, and garden supports.
- Creates a lush, climbing display with airy, fern-like foliage.
- Provides nectar-rich flowers that can attract hummingbirds and other pollinators.
- Offers an appealing choice for gardeners seeking a distinctive flowering vine.
Seed Specifications
- Common Name: Cardinal Climber, Red Cardinal Climber
- Botanical Name: Ipomoea × multifida
- Plant Type: Annual flowering vine
- Colors: Scarlet-red flowers with green foliage
- Height: Approximately six to twelve feet with suitable support
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil
- Water: Regular moisture, especially during establishment
- Germination Time: Approximately seven to twenty-one days
- Sowing Depth: About one-quarter inch deep
- Spacing: Approximately six to twelve inches apart
- Growing Zones: Commonly grown as an annual in USDA Zones three through ten
- Flowering/Maturity: Typically blooms from summer into early autumn
- Uses: Trellises, fences, arches, containers, cottage gardens, and pollinator-friendly landscapes
Growing Tips
- Soak or lightly scarify the hard seeds before sowing to encourage quicker germination.
- Provide a sturdy trellis or support early so vines can begin climbing naturally.
- Keep young seedlings evenly moist while their root systems become established.
- Pinch growing tips lightly if needed to encourage fuller branching and coverage.
Seed Storage
Keep unused seeds in their original packet or an airtight container. Store them in a cool, dry, dark location away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight.
Unique Facts About Seeds
- Cardinal Climber is a hybrid vine resulting from a cross involving Ipomoea coccinea and Ipomoea quamoclit.
- Its botanical name, Ipomoea × multifida, reflects its hybrid origin.
- The vine has finely divided, feathery foliage that gives it a delicate appearance.
- Scarlet tubular flowers are particularly attractive to hummingbirds.
