Thunbergia alata, commonly called Black-eyed Susan vine, is a herbaceous annual climbing plant. INDIGENOUS, therefore it does attract friendly wild life into your garden, butterflies and birds.
In much of the warmer world, Thunbergia alata, or black-eyed susan, is well known as a fast-growing, long-flowering, friendly creeper. In South Africa it is a general favourite as it is not fussy about soil, needs only moderate water, doesn't go rampant, is mostly evergreen and covers ugly places beautifully.
Thunbergia alata is a soft, perennial climber about 1-5 x 1 m with many twining stems. The leaves are heart- or arrow-shaped, softly hairy and sometimes toothed.. This plant flowers all summer but can continue all year in warmer areas.It needs full sun or light shade. It is half-hardy, needing fairly warm conditions but, with protection, young plants can survive some frost. In cold areas treat it as an annual.
This creeper, being attractive to insects, helps bring birds into a garden. Birds also often nest in the thickly tangled stems. Used mainly as an ornamental plant, Thunbergia alata makes a good screen when used to cover unsightly dead trees or walls. It needs some support, as it cannot cling. Use fences, trellises, arches, arbours and pillars or a lightly shading tree. (Pergolas would probably be too big.) Alternatively, plant this creeper in groups as a ground cover, or on a bank or terraces where it can trail downwards. Hanging baskets are also a possibility. .
Black-eyed susan grows quickly and starts flowering at an early age. It can be trimmed if it gets too big but it is usually well behaved. Light trimming in spring will encourage flowering. If frost is a problem, cut the plant right back and it will probably re-sprout.
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