Asarina scandens Jewel Mixed Seeds - Climbing Snapdragon

Asarina scandens 'Jewel Mixed' or Climbing Snapdragon is a tender perennial, often treated as an annual. It forms delicate vining stems, covered with bright green arrowhead-shaped leaves and cascades of blue, purple, pink or white trumpet-shaped blooms. It flowers profusely from mid-summer until the first frosts. Ideal for scrambling up fences or trellises. This heat-loving plant thrives in a sunny location in cool, well-drained soil.

Asarina scandens, sometimes named Maurandya scandens or Climbing snapdragon, is a tuberous climbing perennial native to Central America and Mexico. It belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. 'Jewel Mixed' rapidly grows to 2 to 4 m in height. The vining stems are covered with emerald green, shiny, semi-evergreen leaves shaped like arrowheads. Flowering starts in July and continues until the first frosts. If the plants are kept in a warm place, they will continue to flower during the winter months. The blue, purple, pink or white axillary flowers are trumpet-shaped with 5 tapering lobes. The outside of the corolla is slightly hairy. The flowers give way to seed capsules, each containing several seeds that germinate easily.

Climbing snapdragons are ideal for unheated conservatories. When grown outdoors, they will rapidly scramble up shrubs, small trees or fences in a single season. Similarly to Morning Glory, they can be grown in hanging baskets from which they will tumble down in richly-coloured cascades. Asarina scandens can also be left to roam in rock gardens or over low retaining walls. It is essential to provide the plants with a warm, sunny spot and soil that remains cool and moist. In warmer climates, avoid exposing them to scorching afternoon sunlight.

Asarina seeds are best left to experienced, “seasoned” gardeners as they are extremely small, like fine dust.