This tuberous perennial has slender twining stems and coiled petioles that are used to climb and form a dense cover. It has light green divided leaves and the pendant reddish lantern-shaped flowers appear from late winter to early summer.

Hardiness zones 8 to 11

Tropaeolum tricolorumis a naturally found in South America growing in Chile on the coast and into the mountains from sea level to an altitude of 2000 m (6561 ft). It has also found a growing in the interior valleys commonly in dry arid areas or in humid areas with constant rainfall.

It grows in a exposed sunny to semi-shaded position and prefers a well-drained moderately fertile moist gravelly soil is tending acidic and is drought and frost tolerant.

Relicario is grown for its flowers and a climbing habit. It is planted above retaining walls is a spill-over can be trained on to lattice or a wire fence for screening. It is also grown in patio pots and planter boxes or is used in large hanging baskets. It is suitable for coastal and mountainous regions and establishes in 2-3 years and is moderately long lived. It can be grown in cooler climates down to zone 8 tolerating short periods of snow cover but is commonly grown as a glass house specimen. ID 3525

Tropaeolum(tro-PIE-o-lum) tricolorum(tri-KULL-a-rum)

Tropaeolaceae(TRO-pee-oh-LAY-see-ee)