Black-eyed Susan Vine Thunbergia alata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- thun-BER-jee-uh a-LAY-tuh
- Description
-
Black-eyed Susan vine is a showy tropical tender evergreen that is best grown as an annual and replaced each year. Dispite its common name, it has no relation to black-eye Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) Plant in full sun with some afternoon shade, in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils. As a twining vine, it does best with support so plant near an arbor, trellis or fence, or consider admiring its trailing habit cascading from a hanging basket. It can twine among existing plant becoming a groundcover but can be more difficult to maintain this way. It grows from seeds or stem cuttings and because it reseeds itself easily and in frost-free areas, it can be weedy. If you would like to keep the plants overwinter, plant them in containers that can be moved indoors.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Indoor plants can suffer from spider mites, scale, or white flies.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'African Sunset'
Cream to brick red flowers - 'Angel Wings'
White flowers with a hint of fragrance - 'Bright Eyes'
All white flowers - 'Suzie Orange'
Bright orange flowers
- 'African Sunset'
- 'African Sunset', 'Angel Wings', 'Bright Eyes', 'Suzie Orange'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'African Sunset'
Cream to brick red flowers - 'Angel Wings'
White flowers with a hint of fragrance - 'Bright Eyes'
All white flowers - 'Suzie Orange'
Bright orange flowers
- 'African Sunset'
- 'African Sunset', 'Angel Wings', 'Bright Eyes', 'Suzie Orange'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Thunbergia
- Species:
- alata
- Family:
- Acanthaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical & S. Africa, Madagascar
- Wildlife Value:
- Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds visit the flowers for nectar.
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Ground Cover
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Climbing
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit develops inside the green bracts of the flower maturing to a tan color. and are slightly hairy. Fruits contain 2-4 semicircular, reticulate seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Bracts
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Orange to yellow flowers with dark brown-maroon throats 1 1/2" across 5 petals. Blooms summer through fall but best blooms are when the hottest part of summer is over.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Deltoid
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Soft, hairy, triangular to heart-shaped or ovate, slightly toothed leaves 3" long with winged petioles. The upper surface is dull dark greena and underneath is pale with visable veining.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Problems:
- Weedy
