Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Black-Eyed Susans

Mildred writes~
This spring, we purchased an Orange Wonder Black-eyed Susan Vine [Thunbergia alata]. Do we cut the vine back to ground for fall and winter? We live between Nashville and Chattanooga, TN. [76 miles from both cities].

Note that this vine is an annual so will not come up the following year unless it seeds itself. In your area, you may get low winter temperatures, down to frost, and therefore result in death. If you are frost-free, the vines will come back and should be trimmed drastically in the fall.

Common name: "Black Eyed Susan"
Latin name: Thunbergia alata 'Sunny Orange Wonder'
Class: Annual
Growth habit: Twining climbing or trailing
Max height: 4' - 8' Spread: 24" - 48"
Flowers: Late spring - Summer
Available cultivars: 2
Origin: Hybrid, Tropical East Africa

'Sunny Orange Wonder' is just as easy to grow as 'Sunny Lemon Star'. It grows quickly sometimes reaching up to 8' in length. They are well-suited to life in large containers or hanging baskets. "Black-Eyed Susan" grows equally well when planted in beds and allowed to climb up trellises or fences. Plant in full sun to light shade in fertile well drained soil. Midday shade is beneficial. Space plants 6" - 12" apart for quick cover on fences and trellises. Fertilize every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer for best growth. Potential pests are red spider mites and whiteflies.

Assistance from Denver Plants