Saturday, May 2, 2009

Black-eyed Susan Vine

This is the first bloom on any of my newly planted Black-eyed Susan (thunbergia alata) vines. Isn't it delicate and attractive? I've planted quite a few seeds of these in various containers around my yard and also in the ground in a couple of places. These seeds have very readily sprouted and nearly all the plants are growing quickly. This plant is in the same family as my skyflower, but it makes a smaller vine that is more suitable for a container. It's a tender perennial that can be grown as an annual in areas that freeze. Plant it in full to partial sun - I'm told it appreciates a little shade in really hot afternoons. It comes in various shades of orange to very light yellow. I recently saw one of these in a nearby nursery that looked fabulous cascading out of a hanging pot. Yet another under-utilized plant in that favorite class of mine - vines. This vine is growing in a large pot that also has a night blooming jasmine in it.


4 comments:

Ginger said...

I grew this last year. It took a LONG time to flower, but was pretty when it finally did. They say you can grow it as a groundcover, but don't grow it near anything you don't want enveloped by it! It got into my herbs and pepper plants seemingly overnight. Luckily, it's fairly easy to remove if needed.

Davy Barr said...

Funny yours took so long to flower. I just planted this one in March and it's already got its first bloom. I don't usually recommend using vines as ground covers because they never do what you want them to!

Sweet Rose said...

Davie, why do you like vines so much?!!
I will understand if it is wine but it is just a vine. I am joking, it is a great plant!

Davy Barr said...

I especially like vines because my entire 1/2 acre yard is surrounded and divided by chain link fence, so I have tons of trellis for vines. I have no other idea why vines appeal to me so much.