Thunbergia alata - Black-eyed Susan Vine Blushing Susie Seeds

Thunbergia alata 'Blushing Suzie' will certainly appeal to critics of the black-eyed Suzanne who find the orange colour of its flowers to be too aggressive. This is a very pretty variety is a more stylish version of this little vine, featuring flowers in a mix of different shades, where red and pink predominate, softened by apricot to ivory tones. Considered an invasive perennial in its country of origin, it is one of the prettiest annual climbers for our European gardens and terraces. Throughout the summer its corollas bloom exposing a small centre of a characteristic almost black purple. Its lush, leafy stems cling to trellises all on their own and quickly produce highly decorative container displays that can be kept in a conservatory. It appreciates warmth and sunshine as well as fertile, moist, well-drained soil.

Thunbergia alata is a fast-growing perennial and twining climbing plant, native to the tropical regions of East Africa, which tolerates only very light frosts and requires consistently moist soil during its flowering period. For these reasons, it is grown as an annual in our climates or as a conservatory plant. 'Blushing Suzie' distinguishes itself from the unique colour of its blooms, obtained after years of careful selection by the English seed company Thompson & Morgan. Within a few months' time, the plant reaches a maximum height of 1.50 m with an average height of 1.25 m. Its stems wrap around frames. They are covered with lush, dark green foliage, consisting of evergreen (only in frost-free climates), hairy, toothed, heart-shaped or arrow-shaped leaves. The flowering period lasts from June to October, depending on the date of sowing, and features repeat blooming for more than 2 months. The flowers are borne by a peduncle located in the leaf axils. Each flower has a corolla with a tubular base that extends into 5 flared lobes. The centre of the flower hosts a glowing eye which is not always coloured black and whose purpose is to attract foraging insects.

The black-eyed susan vine 'Blushing Suzie' can be grown in pots just as well as in the open ground, so long it enjoys a sunny location and fertile, moist soil. This airy twining climber goes well with perennial climbers such as clematis and can also be used as ground cover. It goes perfectly well with sky blue Morning Glory ('Heavenly Blue') and Sollya heterophylla. You can combine it with summer flowering bulbs, such as white or pink gladioli: it entwines itself around the leaves of neighbouring plants and its blooms appear in the most unlikely of spots, adding whimsy to somewhat rigid flowerbeds.