Melinda Myers

Black-eyed Susan Vine

Botanical Name

Thunbergia alata

Min Zone

10

Max Zone

11

Height

3 to 8 feet

Width

3 to 6 feet

Flowers

Seasonal: five overlapping petals surround dark thoats; orange, yellow, peach

Light

Full sun to part shade

Soil

Moist, well-drained, fertile

Planting & Care

• Does not like excessive heat and benefits from afternoon shade
• Because black-eyed Susan vine prefers cooler conditions, flowering is best in late summer and early fall as temperatures cool
• Sow seeds directly outdoors after last frost
• Seeds can be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date
• Plants can be overwintered indoors as a houseplant if given plenty of sunlight
• Propagate, share and overwinter by taking cuttings in late summer
• Set transplants of this twining vine near a trellis, fence or other support, spacing 14 to 16 inches apart
• Fertilize every 2 to 3 weeks if growing in a container

Problems

None serious

Varieties

• African Sunset - a mix of shades of cream to brick red
• Arizona Dark Red - deep red-orange flowers
• Lemon A-Peel - bright yellow blooms
• Raspberry Smoothie - pale lilac-pink flowers, grey-green foliage
• Superstar Orange - large bright orange flowers
• Pure White - white blooms
• Spanish Eyes - muted shades of apricot, salmon, rose, ivory and terra cotta