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My Garden Plants
Michael L McClain
St James, NY
Shelter Island, NY
Thunbergia
Black-eyed Susan Vine
Thunbergia alata
Thunbergia is a flowering vine in the Acanthaceae family. It is hardy in Zones 10 and 11. It can grow to a height of 8 feet.
"Grow in organically rich, fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best with some afternoon shade. Easily grown from seed sown directly in the garden after last frost date. Start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date for earlier bloom. Also may be grown in containers that can be overwintered indoors in a warm sun room. Cuttings may be taken from favorite plants in late summer for overwintering."
I first saw a black-eyed Susan vine in Jodi Burke's front yard. When I saw it for sale at Bloomin Haus (variety Lemon Star), I bought one to plant behind the pool on Shelter Island. I made a small trellis for it. It did well, but died back at the first frost. My intent next year is build a larger trellis and to plant one or two of the vines earlier in the season to provide a visual shield.