A long-flowering annual, uncomplicated, and therefore very common twining vine for house entrances, facades, low walls, or balconies. Suitable as a hanging plant and also for interior gardening. The very common varieties "red orange" and "new orange" grow up to about 4 m high and can be used to hide downpipes, lightning conductors, etc..
>>> Price Seeds: "Pastel Melange"
Thunbergia alata, also known as "Brown-Eyed Susan"
Susans need sunny, or even better, half-shady locations that are protected from heavy winds. Moist but water-permeable soil, best enriched with deciduous compost. A nutrient-rich humus soil, as well as regular fertilising and watering, will promote growth and flowers. They can easily be cultivated in pots and 'hibernate' (be overwintered in a proper place) as a potted plant at about 6°C (43°F). Available mostly as seed mixtures or potted plants from spring onwards.
Natives of South Africa and Madagascar, Susans are annuals in Europe and have to be pre-cultivated before they can be sold and planted outside at the end of May. Individual plants must be planted 30 - 40 cm apart, 1 metre for pots with several specimens. Growth height depends on the variety ~ usually only about 2 m, but some strong varieties in a large pot or planted in the earth can grow up to 4 m (see photos). The leaves are heart-shaped. This is a slightly winding twiner (shoots twine a little), somewhat overhanging. The flowers are decorative, the colours in a range of: white, yellow-orange, or brown-red~ all with a brown-black ('chocolate-purple') centre. The varieties "red orange" and "new orange" sold by FassadenGrün belong to the "Sunny Susy"® series and are impressive for their strong growth and early flowering. In general, all varieties of the black-eyed or brown-eyed Susans flower abundantly, even in cooler summers. The flowering time is from June to October. A single flower lasts about 5 days. Sometimes small seed capsules also form.
Thin stakes, nets, or ropes can be used. Binding material might be necessary. You can choose below among the suitable designs for a cable system. Choose an easy or light cable design.
Please click on the graphic illustrations for details!
= suitable | = of limited suitability | = unsuitable |