Dune bindweed
Calystegia soldanella · Convolvulaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around dune bindweed and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to September
- Adult size
- Up to 1.5 m in length
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Moderate (temperate coastal zones)
- Origin
- Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines
- Soil type
- Sandy, well-draining
Care
Exposure
Convolvulus needs a sunny location to flower well. Place it in full sun, in a clear and airy spot. This is a coastal plant accustomed to windy conditions.
Soil
Prefer sandy, light and well-draining soil, mimicking its natural habitat. It tolerates poor soils and even slightly saline ones. Moderately enrich the substrate with coarse sand to improve drainage.
Watering
Water regularly during the growing season (spring-summer), but let the soil dry out between waterings. In autumn and winter, significantly reduce water supply. It fears excess moisture and root rot.
Pruning and training
Pinch young stems in spring to encourage branching. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a balanced shape. Guide the stems onto a support (stake, light trellis) to structure growth.
Fertiliser
Apply a balanced fertiliser once a month from May to August. Prefer moderate application as excessive fertilising would favour foliage at the expense of flowers. A plant from poor habitats doesn't require anything extravagant.
Diseases and pests
Generally robust, but watch for powdery mildew if there is excessive humidity and stagnant air. Provide good ventilation around the plant and avoid foliar watering. Aphids can occasionally affect young shoots.
Did you know?
The dune bindweed has the remarkable ability to stabilise coastal dunes thanks to its deep and extensive root system. This plant is a true ecological engineer of the coast: it slows wind erosion and creates a microhabitat favourable to other species. In the Mediterranean and on Atlantic coasts, it has long been considered a protected species of natural heritage.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Kidney weedDichondra repens
- Blue rock bindweedConvolvulus sabatius
- Pink EarFalkia repens
- SilverbushConvolvulus cneorum
- Field bindweedConvolvulus arvensis
- Hedge bindweedCalystegia sepium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.