Red Cardinal Climber – 5 Seeds

Red Cardinal Climber (Ipomoea sloteri) is a tender annual vine with red, trumpet-like flowers. This frost tender annual heirloom vine in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae) has been grown as an ornamental for over 100 years both for its attractive foliage and prolific flowers. Cardinal climber is a hybrid plant, created by Logan Sloter of Columbus, Ohio who in 1897 crossed (by hand) red morning glory (Ipomoea coccinea) and cypress vine (I. quamoclit, as the pollen parent). Unlike most hybrids, you can save the seeds and sow them the following year in your garden and they will come true.

This twining vine of the morning glory family can grow between 0.91–3.05 m tall and it is grown for its attractive scarlet flowers.  Very small Scarlet red flowers bloom from early summer until the plant is killed by frost. The leaves are triangular with deep lobes that look like palm leaves.Although this plant is part of the morning glory family, the flowers are very tiny in comparison. They are only about 15 mm long and 10 mm in diameter. Each tubular flower is star-shaped, flaring open at the mouth into five pointed lobes. Flowers are attractive to butterflies. Can be grown in containers.

Growing Red Cardinal Climber

Indoor Sowing: Not Recommended.

Direct Sowing: Spring.

• Since the plants do not like to be transplanted, it is recommended to direct sow the seeds.
• Plant after any threat of frost and once the ground has warmed up.
• Pick a site that gets plenty of sun. They will tolerate some very light shade, but bloom their best in full sun.
• Nick the seeds with a nail file or sandpaper and soak seeds in warm water the night before sowing. The seeds will take up water quickly and germinate faster in the ground.
• Sow the seeds seeds 20 – 25cm apart and only a few cm from a place where the vines can climb.
• In a container, erect a trellis or grow them near a railing so they can be supported.
• Cover lightly with soil and water thoroughly.
• Keep the soil moist until germination.
• Keep young seedlings well watered.
• Although it grows best on fertile soil, don’t over fertilize your plants or you’ll get mostly leaves, fewer flowers and they will bloom later in the season.