How to Grow Cardinal Climber

Cardinal climbers (Ipomoea × multifida) are a vining plant that produce red, trumpet shaped flowers with a white base. They blossom in the summer, and are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Cardinal climbers sprout easily from seeds, and are low maintenance. They will climb any supporting structure, and you can also use them as a ground cover. The seeds need softening before planting, but they are poisonous so do not ingest them.

Bowl
Trellis
Shovel

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a bowl with lukewarm water. Submerge the cardinal climber seeds in the water and let them soak for 24 hours.
- 2
  Prepare the planting site. The site should have full to partial sun, which is eight to six hours of sunlight daily. Remove the weeds and loosen the soil down to 6 inches with a shovel. The site should be located at the foot of a trellis, arbor, or other structure on which the plant can climb.
- 3
  Plant the seeds after the last frost of spring has passed. Sew them at a depth of 1/4 inch, spaced 6 to 8 inches apart.
- 4
  Water until the soil settles. Water frequently enough to keep the soil moist. The seeds should germinate in two to three weeks. Once they germinate, thin to one plant every 12 inches.
- 5
  Direct the plants to the trellis or other climbing structure as the vines grow longer. They secure themselves by twining around the trellis once they reach its supports.

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