Slender Bells White Bower Vine

Slender Bells White Bower Vine (Pandorea jasminoides 'Slender Bells White') is a compact native climber that reaches about 2m tall and 2m wide if left unpruned. Pure white flowers cover it in late spring and summer, and dark brown seedpods sometimes follow. It is the bower vine for smaller spaces, where a more vigorous climber would be too much.

Why you'll love it

• Pure white flowers. Clean white blooms appear through late spring and summer, bright against the foliage and easy to match with any colour scheme.
• Compact habit. At about 2m by 2m it suits courtyards, narrow fences and small gardens, and it is far less vigorous than the bigger bower vines.
• Can be kept slim. Pruned, it can be held as narrow as 40cm wide, which suits a tight trellis or a slim bed.
• Tough once established. It tolerates drought and moderate frosts once established.
• Versatile. It will ramble over a trellis or fence, or be planted as an informal groundcover.

Where it works best

Trellises and fences. Plant 1m apart along a fence or trellis and tie the stems in as they grow. Pruned regularly, it forms a neat white-flowered screen.

Small gardens. A single plant on an obelisk or wall frame gives height and flowers without swamping a small courtyard.

Informal groundcover. Left without support, it spreads across the ground. Plant 1m apart on a bank or bed edge for a loose cover.

Growing Slender Bells White Bower Vine in Australia

Position and climate. Plant in full sun or a partly shaded position. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and it tolerates moderate frosts once established. Young plants are tenderer, so give them a sheltered spot in their first winter.

Soil. Well-drained soil enriched with compost suits it, and a layer of mulch helps while it establishes.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks. Once established, it tolerates drought. Apply a slow release fertiliser in spring.

Pruning. Prune to shape, and you can hold it as narrow as 40cm wide. Light trimming after flowering keeps it tidy.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Slender Bells White as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly once planted. It arrives small and lightly branched, so tie the first stems onto the support early and expect it to bulk up over its first season. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. The tube shows as sold out when the grower has none, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Bower vine care guide
• All our pandorea and bower vines
• Climbers for trellises and fences
• Plants for small gardens

Common questions

How big does it get?

About 2m tall and 2m wide if you leave it unpruned. You can prune it to hold a narrower shape, down to about 40cm wide.

Can I grow it as a groundcover?

Yes. Without a support it spreads across the ground, and planting 1m apart on a bank or bed edge gives a loose cover. Prune to keep it where you want it.

Will it cope with frost?

It tolerates moderate frosts once established. Protect young plants for their first winter in cold districts.