canary vine

[westgatea]

I have grown this mysterious plant from seeds passed on to me - I have no idea what it is. Does anyone know it's latin name? Or anything at all about it?

[HortLine]

Perhaps you are growing the vine called; the canary creeper ( Tropaeolum peregrinum or T. speciosum). It grows in moist well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun. The canary creeper is an annual or perennial climber with 5-lobed, light to grayish green leaves. In Summer and into Autumn it produces hook-spurred bright yellow flowers 1 inch across. Expect about 8 to 12 feet of growth. The plant comes from Ecuador, Peru. Grows in Zones 9-10.
Black Ahpids can be a problem as can slugs, and cabbage butterfly catterpillars.
So, make sure watch over the young plant.

[HortLine]

Just a little clarification.
Tropaelum is the genus which includes the plant we commonly call nasturtium, i.e. T. majus.
Tropeoleum peregrinum, an annual vine sometimes called Canary creeper or canary vine, has gemmy little bird-like yellow flowers. It grows well in quite moist soil in a sunny location.
Tropaeolum speciosum is a perennial herbaceous vine, sometimes called the Chilean flame flower. It grows from thin tuberous roots , sending up shoots of tiny lobed leaves in mid spring then producing brilliantly red tiny flowers in profusion from July on, followed by rich-blue seeds.
It prefers a cool location, and will often do well among large rhododendrons to provide another season of interest.
Enjoy your canary vine!