Black Eyed Susan VineThunbergia alataBlack eyed Susan vine, Thunbergia alata. Planting and caring for black eyed Susan vines. Thunbergia alata Sunny lemon Star.
Thunbergia "African Sunset," Close-up of Pink Flower, September Hailing from tropical Africa, this twining vine climbs 6-8 feet high and is planted as an annual throughout the temperate zone. In zones 9-10b it is perennial. The inch and a half wide single blooms appear in the leaf axils of the vine from spring through fall. Each flower bears 5 petals and may be orange, lemon yellow, pale yellow, or white (the blooms of the cultivar 'African Sunset' vary from brick red to cream). Usually, but not always, with a dark brown eye. The textured leaves are heart-shaped and about as wide across as the flowers.
Thunbergia alata Sunny Lemon StarThunbergia alata Sunny Lemon Star features bright yellow blooms with dark centers on a vine that grows quickly to 8 feet. This yellow black eyed Susan vine is particularly suited to hanging baskets
This type of rustic metal arbor will display of the Thunbergia varieties on this page beautifully. Its steel "twigs" are narrow enough for the plant to wrap itself around them. Plant 1 on each side of the arbor and just weave the stems through a little to get the vines started. They will continue the climb on their own. Planting Black Eyed Susan Vine
Plants are usually started from seed planted in the spring. But 6 inch stem cuttings containing at least 2 nodes can be used to start new vines as well. Set plants or seeds, if you are direct sowing, 2-3 feet apart in well draining soil. Full to part sun will ensure the best bloom. Thunbergia alata can be planted as a quick cover for a chain link fence or allowed to twine up through a spring blooming vine or shrub to give it color throughout the season. It will not harm the other plant as it will be removed in the fall.
Another way to enjoy this beautiful climber is to place an obelisk Caring for the Vines
Stairway Climbers Collection 4 Seed Pkts. If you are growing it in a pot and plan to keep it over the winter,cut it back to 3inches above the soil after a period of heavy bloom. Feed it regularly with a bloom boosting house plant fertilizer and repot it each spring. Keep the soil barely moist at all times. If you are growing Thunbergia alata in the ground, follow the feeding and watering instructions above. If you have it growing up through other more permanent plants, don't forget to pull the vines out in the fall so that they do no smother the permanent plant. Wooden Garden Arbor Swings See the best wooden garden arbor swings here. You can purchase a prepainted arbor with swing or without in your choice of 26 colors. Or go the natural route with an unfinished cypress arbor and swing.
Rudbeckia Prarie Sun
Black Eyed Susan
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