Introducing...
Thunbergia
Common name: Black-eyed Susan
These vigorous, climbing annuals, with colourful flowers, are excellent for giving quick cover to arches and fences while you are waiting for longer-term plants to mature. Alternatively, allow them to cascade down from large hanging baskets. They cannot withstand frost.
Looks
From summer to autumn, vigorous, twining stems carry 5-petalled trumpet flowers, in glowing shades of orange, yellow, red or creamy white. They open flat and often reveal dark chocolate-purple centres.
Likes
They like any fertile soil that drains easily in full sun. In hanging baskets, use good quality compost with added perlite or vermiculite for good drainage.
Dislikes
Growth will be poor on very dry or wet soils. Plants will not flower in shade.
Did you know?
Besides the annuals, thunbergias also include some shrubs and evergreen climbers suitable for conservatories.
Growing guide
How to grow thunbergia
All the information you'll need to grow and care for thunbergia in your garden
Thunbergia we recommend
Thunbergia mysorensis
Mysore clock vine
- 4–8 metres
- 1.5–2.5 metres
Thunbergia alata 'African Sunset'
black-eyed Susan 'African Sunset'
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Thunbergia mysorensis
Mysore clock vine
- 4–8 metres
- 1.5–2.5 metres
Thunbergia alata 'African Sunset'
black-eyed Susan 'African Sunset'
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Useful advice
Climbers: using annuals
Containers: summer selection
Hanging baskets
Pergolas
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.