Fabulous Thunbergia’s brighten up the dullest of summer days…
Posted on | July 23, 2011 | 6 Comments
Thunbergia alata ‘Superstar Orange’
Rain, rain, go away – come again another day! An old nursery rhyme that I’m sure many say in their heads when the heavens open, especially last weekend which was a virtual washout for most of us. I think we have had enough rain to make up for our drought ridden spring here on the east coast of the UK. Of course with all that lovely wet stuff everything is growing like mad here at the Exotic Garden, though some plants like the Cannas are still being rather slow in gaining any height due to many of the recent nights being relatively cold for the time of year – some plants really do need heat to get them going. Never-the-less many annuals have put on masses of growth, including one of my favourites at this time of year – members of the Thunbergia family with their radiant, almost day-glow colours.
I think Thunbergia alata more commonly known as ‘Black eyed Susan’ is one of those annuals that have a perennial fascination for me as they always grow so well producing countless flowers over the summer season from June right through to first frost, giving me a summer of fabulously beautiful five-petalled flowers.
Thunbergia alata ‘Superstar Orange’ growing up canes collected from the garden…
Unfortunately, they have no scent though I think they can be forgiven for this small misgiving as they are so eye catching even on the dullest of days, lighting up any amount of British gloom! ‘Black Eyed Susan’ don’t seem to mind cool weather as long as they are kept moist with no growth checks.
This easy annual used to be regarded as a conservatory climber for growing in tubs, soil borders or from hanging baskets, but in recent years it has become a popular subject for outdoor cultivation, both in baskets, pots and in more protected corners of the garden and in my case, up bamboo canes collected from the garden and grown in large containers up to 6-ft tall.
The most commonly available forms from seed are the ‘Suzie Hybrids’, which can be found in shades of orange through yellow and salmon to white. Seeds sown from March to May will flower almost continuously from June to October, provided that the flowers are deadheaded regularly. Later in the season, it is advisable to let a few go to seed, so you can grow them again the following year.
Thunbergia alata ‘Superstar Orange’ is a stunning bright orange ‘Black-Eyed Susan’ with larger flowers than normal in a shade of intense orange with a jet black eye. It’s a vigorous plant, quickly covering a trellis against a sunny fence, or growing up an obelisk in a container where it looks stunning when dripping with flowers in high summer.
Thunbergia alata ‘Superstar Orange’
Thunbergia alata ‘Superstar Orange’ looks good even on those wet dull days of summer...
In recent years Thompson and Morgan have produced a stunning new Thunbergia alata named ‘Blushing Susie’ – the result of years of careful selection by T&M’s flower breeders. Unlike many other varieties that only have the odd red bloom, with a high proportion of salmon, ‘Blushing Susie’ is predominantly red, with other shades of ivory and apricot adding contrast. All-in-all, it makes this a very exciting and easily grown annual climber for the exotic garden.
Thunbergia alata ‘Blushing Susie’
Thunbergia alata ‘Blushing Susie’
Thunbergia alata ‘Blushing Susie’ flower detail
I have also tried two fabulous new ones this year both with large 1½ins wide flowers produced in abundance all summer – Thunbergia ‘Lemon’ with, as its name suggests has the brightest lemon yellow flowers with a black eye in the centre and Thunbergia ‘Red and Orange’ which has rich, almost burnt orange flowers with a dark reddish-brown eye. A very stunning Thunbergia for the garden and one I will be certainly growing again next year.
Thunbergia alata ‘Lemon’
Thunbergia alata ‘Lemon’ up close!
Thunbergia alata ‘Red and Orange’
There are several perennial Thunbergia’s worth trying in a warm spot in the garden or conservatory. One of my favourites is the ‘Orange Clock-Vine’ Thunbergia gregorii. The amount of colour that can be put out by this Thunbergia is unsurpassed, as it glows in the evening with intense beacon-like pure orange. This gem is a woody perennial that will creep and crawl over everything in reach, and provided it is kept frost free during the winter months, it will give years of pleasure.
The ‘Orange Clock-Vine’ Thunbergia gregorii doesn’t have a black eye!
‘Orange Clock-Vine’ Thunbergia gregorii
A rather moist ‘Orange Clock-Vine’ Thunbergia gregorii
Thunbergia battiscombei is another perennial worth seeking out and one of my personal favourites. It is a herbaceous, weakly stemmed perennial vine that tends to lean upon other plants for support. When unsupported it will form a symmetrical mound of flopped over stems to about 3ft tall with light green stems with large bright green 5ins heart-shaped leaves. All through summer it produces intense blue-purple trumpet-shaped flowers that really stand out against the handsome foliage – a real show stopper that deserves wider recognition as it is so easy to grow.
Perennial Thunbergia battiscombei with Eucomis bicolor
Perennial Thunbergia battiscombei
For sheer grandeur and opulence, nothing can beat Thunbergia grandiflora from India. From a distance, this creeper creates a wall of flowers. Each individual flower is about 3ins long and borne in drooping clusters on stems often many feet long in hot countries. The most commonly seen varieties are sky blue to light violet, although there is a white-flowered form as well. The leaves are leathery and have a distinctive elongated heart shape. This Thunbergia is ludicrously tender though I am flowering one for the first time in the garden this year; though it will only be a mere shadow of the ones I have seen the tropics.
Perennial Thunbergia grandiflora
Perennial Thunbergia grandiflora - white form
My personal favourite has to be the ‘Clock Vine’ Thunbergia mysorensis, another fast grower in warm conditions that’s best suited to a conservatory here in Britain. It has to be one of the most beautiful climbers in the world! In the tropics and sub-tropics, this treasure flowers almost every day of the year, with a mature specimen bearing hundreds of 3ins yellow and russet-red flowers in spectacular hanging chains 3-4ft long, which would look excellent hanging from greenhouse or conservatory rafters. Like T. grandiflora it requires minimum winter temperature of around 7C (45F) though I’m sure it would appreciate being warmer!
Perennial Thunbergia mysorensis
Whether you’d like to try some of the easily grown annual Thunbergia’s or – like me – you are tempted to try some of the heat-loving tropical forms, you will certainly not be disappointed as they’re all exceedingly exotic plants and whether fussy or easy are all a joy to grow!
Shrubby perennial Thunbergia erecta
All flowers eventually fade and fall but never the less look attractive in their demise!
Dweezal has now had enough of Thunbergia’s and is pestering me for something to eat!
Thunbergia alata ‘Superstar Orange’ looks good even on those wet dull days of summer…
growing up canes collected from the garden…
looks good even on those wet dull days of summer…
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6 Responses to “Fabulous Thunbergia’s brighten up the dullest of summer days…”
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July 23rd, 2011 @ 2:51 pm
Didn’t realise there were so many Thunbergia.
I have a pretty basic one that is sulking at the moment – lots of growth, low on flowers.
Will certainly look for more next year.
July 23rd, 2011 @ 4:00 pm
I particularly like Thumbergia battiscombei – never knew it existed. Must get some seeds next season- I suppose it is too late this year. Where can I get a supply of this particular one? I am very partial to blue and have quite a selection of blue plants in my garden and conservatory. It goes so well with an almost green garden, with the odd spot of colour – this year, orange.
July 24th, 2011 @ 7:42 am
I have bought the original Black Eyed Susan for the first time this year. I will definately have a go at some seeds next year!
July 24th, 2011 @ 4:46 pm
I have lot’s of leafy growth but no flowers as yet on my Thungbergia ‘african sunset’. Think we need some sun to bring them on! I love your Thungbergia gregorii, must give that one a go next year.
August 4th, 2011 @ 9:21 am
Lovely Thunbergias, Will. We have a rather pretty rose pink T. alata growing in the Chelsea Physic Garden, but it doesn’t have a more definitive name. Both the orange and lemon versions are doing well here – I like the idea of dead-heading to prolong flowering, but am finding it difficult to identify which have gone over and which are still buds with flowers to come.
August 15th, 2011 @ 5:00 pm
Gosh – I didn’t realize how many blogs I had missed replying to – many apologies!
Mark – There are quite a few Thunbergias with several more I didn’t mention, though they Are all fabulous plants to have, though some are rather tropical in nature…
Carmen – Thumbergia battiscombei is absolutely fabulous. I have never seen seed for sale and can’t find anyone that is selling it on the net in this country. For the life of me, I can’t remember where I got mine from, so can’t help you there – good luck in tracking it down though as it will be well worth the effort.
Tania – It was really good to see you the other weekend and thaks ever so much for the fabulose garden themed cup cakes. Thunbergia gregorii is certainly a stunner – I got mine about four yeaers ago from Madeira and over-winter it frost free. Hope you can find one or some seeds – well worth it…
Dave and Anne – Dead heading is very important to keep these beauties in constant bloom until the first frost. When you visit soon with your friends I will show you which ones to pinch out, though it is always worth leaving a few at the end of the season for seed.