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Annual Biennial

Torenia fournieri

wishbone flower

A compact, tender, bushy annual with toothed, pale green foliage. Trumpet-shaped purple and white flowers with a yellow throat, and wishbone-shaped stamens, appear over a long flowering period from summer through to the autumn. Although performs best in a sunny location, will tolerate some shade

Other common names

bluewings
wishbone flower

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Linderniaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Name status: Correct
Plant range: S & SE Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic soil in a sunny position when the risk of frost has passed. Tolerates shady areas if soil conditions are suitable. Feed with a suitable multi-purpose plant food throughout the growing season

Propagation

Propagate by seed stem cuttings or seed indoors. Transplant to desired location outdoors after the risk of frost has passed. Dislikes root disturbance, so if growing from seed, plant in biodegradable pots which can be transplanted directly into the ground without disturbing the roots

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
hanging basket
Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging

Pruning

No pruning required, but cut back by half if plants become leggy to encourage bushier growth and potentially a new flush of flowers

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to root rot and powdery mildews

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