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Vigna caracalla

Snail Vine, Corkscrew Flower

Vigna caracalla
Vigna caracalla
Vigna caracalla
Vigna caracalla
Price: £3.25
Perennial that will flower in its first year from sowing
    The quite unique flowers of the Snail Vine make it something rather special. It is a fast-growing, twining climber bearing from summer into autumn twelve inch racemes of very striking, quite extraordinary, large, fragrant, two inch blooms, a matchingly unusual mixed purplish-creamish-yellowish in colour and with (if you want to be technical) vexillum and carine twisted, or, more simply, which are snail-like. A plant for your conservatory where it should flower the first year from seed. The roots are used in Mexico to make an exciting alcoholic beverage, batari. 10ft (3m)
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    Genus: Vigna

    Species: caracalla

    Family Name: Leguminosae/Fabaceae

    Synonym: Phaseolus caracalla

    Seed Catalogue No.: 980B

    English Name(s): Snail Vine, Corkscrew Flower

    Hardiness: Tender

    Lifecycle: Perennial

    Colour: White Cream, Yellow/Orange, Purple/Lavender

    Flowers: July, August, September

    Lighting Conditions: Full Sun, Sheltered Sun

    Soil Type: Chalk, Sand, Loam

    Soil Acidity: Alkaline, Neutral, Acid

    Moisture: Well-drained

    Customer Reviews - Vigna caracalla

    Average Rating: 5 (5 of 5 based on 2 reviews)

    Vigna caracalla

    Snail Vine

    Reviewed by on

    These were easy to grow to seedlings. A couple have formed large vines now, no flowers but I'm hopeful they will flower this/next year

    Rating: 5/55

    Chiltern Seeds Responded on 14th April 2021

    Thank you for your review, Happy Growing!

    Vigna caracalla

    Snail Vine

    Reviewed by Joyce Wilson on

    I have grown this plant from seed and have fallen in love with it. I had no problem with germinating the seeds, grew the seedlings on, potting on regularly in standard multi purpose compost. Eventually potted on 2 plants into a large ceramic container. The plants are housed in a double glazed conservatory and when 2 years old began flowering with exquisite, scented lavender and white flowers from white buds which look like cashew nuts. The plants were fed with Tomorite Fertilizer and kept just damp with rain water. The plants have now reached the roof of the conservatory so I plan to prune the plants in the spring, removing 2/3 rds, cutting back to just above a bud.The perfume from the flowers is delicious. In the UK the plants are deciduous and the root system is rather like dahlia tubers.Bees love the flowers.

    Rating: 5/55

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    Customer Review - Vigna caracalla

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    Germination Instructions

    Sow indoors at any time for perennial use. For annual use sow winter-spring so that you get a full season of outdoor flowering. Surface sow onto moist, well-drained seed compost. Just cover seed with a sprinkling of soil or vermiculite. Place in a propagator. Ideal temp. 21-25°C. Germination takes 2-4 weeks approx. Once germinated grow on in cooler conditions. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle to 8cm pots and grow on under glass. If desired plant out after danger of frost has passed.

    Growing Instructions

    Prefers any moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Requires a sheltered positions. For perennial use this plant needs to be grown under glass as it will be cut down by frost. For annual use offer full sun and a warm wall on which to climb. Will require a framework on which to climb. Can be container planted and moved outside in summer and back under glass as the weather cools. requires a min. temp. 15°C.

    Cultivation Instructions

    Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape as required. Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings.

    When to Sow

    JanJFebFMarMAprAMayMJunJJulJAugASepSOctONovNDecD
    • Sow Under Cover/Plant Indoors
    • Flowers/Harvest

    Approximate number of seeds per packet: 15

    Please note we pack the majority of our seeds by volume so the number of seeds indicated is only an approximation.

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    Vigna caracalla

    £3.25