Fabaceae; native to tropical South America.

Germination: Sow indoors at a temperature of 70-72° where seeds will germinate in 10 days. Seeds can also be sown outdoors in spring where germination will occur in 10-15 days. Indoors and out, sow at a depth of 4 times the size of the seeds and clip the seeds to hasten germination.

Growth: Transplant when there are at least two sets of true leaves. Space 12-24 inches apart in full sun to partial shade. Site in any normal, loamy, fertile, moist, well-drained garden soil. Feed monthly with a balanced fertilizer and provide a structure for the vine to climb on: a trellis, arbor, or fence.

Appearance and Use: A climbing vine from 20-25 feet long that is grown as an annual outdoors in cold climates or as a perennial outdoors in frost-free climates. It is also grown as a perennial in conservatories. The 11/4-2 inch long, fragrant flowers are coiled like a snail shell: the lower lip curls up. They are colored white, yellow, or lavender and appear from mid-summer through late fall. The 6 inch long, bean-like, trifoliate leaves are composed of 3-5 inch long, soft, downy leaflets.

*Grown as an annual, but it is hardy in Zones 10 and 11.