I am not always wildly successful at growing plants from seeds. This is because, I don’t have a full-fledged seed-starting set-up indoors and I do have a full-time job. Excuses aside, I am much better at letting plants sow themselves outdoors and grubbing out the occasional unwanted seedlings. That method ensures that I can lavish praise on myself for the success of my morning glories or nigella, without even the slightest guilt pang about doing nothing to ensure that success.
I defied the odds this year and started some black-eyed Susan vines—Thunbergia alata—from seed. I bought the seeds in late winter in a moment of weakness inspired by the lovely front-of-the-packet illustration, which showed an array of multi-colored flowers cascading over the edges of a pot. My winter-weary soul saw the promise of spring in those seeds and I bought them.
If you aren’t familiar with black-eyed Susan vine, sometimes also known as clockvine, you are missing something special. The nickname comes from the flowers’ perceived resemblance to annual and perennial black-eyed Susans, which are members of the rudbeckia genus. The most popular rudbeckias boast the familiar golden-orange petals surrounding black centers. I have loved the wild ones, Rudebeckia hirta, since I was a little girl.
Black-eyed Susan vines are not related to rudbeckias, which are part of the daisy family. Instead, the vines are part of the Acanthaceae or acanthus family. Native to Africa, Madagascar and southern Asia, Thunbergia alata arrived in the United States in 1823. It caught on—literally and figuratively—taking part in the great Victorian vogue for vines and climbing plants. Though the plants are perennial in warm winter climates, they are mostly grown as annuals these days. They are vigorous, but not unruly, and if you provide appropriate support, they will grow six to eight feet tall. There is no need for fussing with the stems, as they twine in a clockwise direction around any support. Mine have gone beyond the short trellis I provided and are currently embracing my back porch railing.
The mixture that I picked combined several black-eyed Susan vine varieties, and as the vines have grown, I can tell which is which by the leaves. They are either vaguely triangular or slightly more rounded and generally toothed or serrated on the edges. Each flower, with five petals joined at the base to form a shallow trumpet, surrounds a dark center. Individual blooms are about 1.5 inches wide, but mature vines produce many flowers over the course of the season. My vines, planted in late spring, suffered from some intermittent neglect earlier in the season, so they are really just getting going at the end of July. Now that I am paying attention, I am expecting great things from them in August.
The range of black-eyed Susan vine colors is not extremely large, with cheerful shades of yellow and golden orange predominating. The mix that I chose also incorporates a white-flowered variety for contrast.
If you like the looks of black-eyed Susan vine, the best way to explore the range of available varieties is to grow the plants from seed. This also allows you to select single colors or create your own color combinations. Find cool relief in the white flowers of ‘Alba’. In the pink range, you can buy varieties like ‘Blushing Susie’, which runs to tones of cream and apricot-pink in each bloom, or its sibling, ‘Sunny Susie Rose Sensation’, featuring gradations of rose pink. ‘African Sunset’ is similar to the ‘Sunny Susie’s, but the colors are warmer and richer. ‘Arizona Rose Sensation’ is also rose pink, but accented with a darker pink ring around the black center. It is quite dramatic.
Drama also reigns supreme in a couple of variegated varieties. Tangerine Slice A-Peel, part of a trademarked series, features orange petals edged in yellow. ‘Sunny Susie Amber Stripes’ has the same yellow petal edges, but the main petal color is closer to amber than golden-orange.
For flat-out vibrant color, chose Lemon A-Peel, sometimes sold as ‘Lemon Star’, or Orange A-Peel, also known as ‘Orange Wonder’. The names, whether registered or trademarked, can be confusing. I generally pick plants or seeds based on whether the colors catch my fancy.
You can certainly make use of vertical space and grow your vines up a short tuteur or trellis. They also make wonderful hanging basket subjects, cascading happily over the sides of any container.
Like many free-blooming plants, black-eyed Susan vines like sunshine. They are also thirsty, with leaves that droop at the drop of a hat, so provide regular water when temperatures are high and/or rainfall is low. Feed regularly with an organic fertilizer labeled for flowering plants.
At the moment you may find relatively mature black-eyed Susan vines in local nurseries or garden centers, ready for planting in the nearest container. If you search the depleted seed racks at the back of the store, you may also find some leftover seeds. Most of us still have plenty of growing season left, and you could do worse than to snap up those packets and get the seeds going. Next spring, find excellent varieties at Select Seeds, 180 Stickney Hill Road, Union, CT 06076; (800) 684-0395; www.selectseeds.com. Free print catalog. 