Tropaeolum azureum

A tuberous species sending up twining hair-like stems, anchoring themselves to any available support with prehensile, dark green, 5 lobed, starfish leaves. Almost unnoticed amongst the foliage of a supporting shrub until the small but very numerous, white throated, blue-purple, typical Nasturtium shaped flowers are produced during cool spring weather. Adapted to a winter rainfall climate it promptly returns to a state of hibernation with the onset of summer heat, re-emerging ever more vigorously once the cooler temperatures and moisture of winter prevail. Truly xeric, demanding of summer dryness and once established will happily remain dormant for several years in the absence of rainfall. Easily grown in very well drained soil or a deep pot of gravel. Likely to be difficult on the east coast without protection from the worst weather.