where can I find this plant?

[StillRunningWithScissors]

Hello,

I'd really like to use sweet potato vine (ornamental, not a sweet potato plant) in pots/tubs this year. My mum always grew the bright green and dark purple ones together, like these and it looked lovely.

I've had a look online, but they seem to be elusive in the UK.

Anyone know?

Thank you

[MyNightWithMaud]

I bought some last year from my horticultural society (who in turn got them from a bedding plant wholesaler). They didn't thrive, but that's beside the point. Anyway, have you checked (or can you check nearer the time) with local nurseries/garden centres?

[StillRunningWithScissors]

Thanks Maud, I will check closer to the correct season :-)

[shovetheholly]

I know nothing about growing these ornamentally - but I just wanted to raise a question that maybe others can answer: how hardy are these in the UK? I worry that they'd be extremely difficult to grow, but that's largely based on stuff I've heard about the vegetable plant, and obviously this is different!

[MyNightWithMaud]

For me, the problem was that they never really took off - possibly because last summer was quite cool and they were in pots in quite a shady spot - but if I can brave the cold in the garden I'll report back on what they look like now! (The begonias, for example, have already been turned to pulp by the frost).

[DoreenLethal]

I believe they are pretty tender perennials in the UK.

So if you dig them up and keep them in a greenhouse or somewhere sheltered they may survive the winters.

[StillRunningWithScissors]

Hmm, my mum always grew them just for the summer (no over wintering), probably as it was in Canada. A lot of plants that keep going here are treated as annuals there.

:-)

[shovetheholly]

There's an article by Sarah Raven in the Torygraph that recommends them as foliage plants, so maybe they're about to take off in popularity here as annuals?

I had a look for varieties on the RHS plant finder. I searched for Ipomoea batatas 'blackie' and came up with one UK supplier, Swines Meadow Farm nursery. I wonder if it's worth ringing them to see if they could send you some little slips later in the spring?

www.rhs.org.uk/plants/nurseries-search-result?id=114062

www.swinesmeadowfarmnursery.co.uk/

[NanTheWiser]

These are usually sold as summer bedding tender annuals, not always easy to find. I have a local nursery (not a garden centre) that always has these in stock in the Spring, so you might have more luck in a few months' time. Good garden centres might stock them in April/May.

[StillRunningWithScissors]

Thank you!!! Will definitely see what I can find once the frosts have passed.

Very frustrating, as you see them all over in my parents area in the summer, and they're lovely.