Thunbergia alata Lemon A-PEEL® – Lemon A-PEEL® Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Bring climbing sunshine to your garden with Thunbergia alata Lemon A-PEEL®! This dazzling variety of Black-Eyed Susan Vine is famous for its vibrant, bright orange flowers, often adorned with a distinctive dark "eye." A fast-growing and continuously blooming annual vine, it will transform your trellises, fences, or hanging baskets into a cascade of vitality and light from early summer until the first autumn frosts.

Characteristics

• Foliage : The foliage consists of green, heart-shaped or triangular leaves, arranged along twining stems. It provides a lush backdrop for the luminous flowers.
• Bloom : Produces a profusion of vibrant orange flowers in a trumpet shape, which may have a characteristic dark centre ("black eye"). Blooming is remarkably continuous and abundant, from early summer until the first autumn frosts.
• Light : Thrives in full sun for maximum blooming. It can tolerate light partial shade, but a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day is recommended for optimal results.
• Habit : Its habit is climbing and twining. It easily wraps around various supports or can trail gracefully from a hanging container.
• Growth : This is a fast-growing and vigorous plant. It can quickly reach 1.8 to 2.4 metres (6 to 8 feet) in height or length during one growing season, and spread 0.6 to 0.9 metres (2 to 3 feet).
• Humidity : Requires average to regular watering. It prefers consistently moist, but well-rained soil.
• Soil : Thrives in well-drained and fertile soil. A good quality potting mix for containers is ideal if grown in pots.
• Temperature : Being a tropical plant, it is not frost-hardy (zones 10-11). It thrives in warm climates and is grown as an annual in regions with cold winters.
• Watering : Water regularly to keep the soil moist, especially during hot, dry periods, or if grown in containers and hanging baskets, as these dry out faster.

Uses

• Types of Use : Ideal for quickly covering trellises, fences, arbours, arches, or for gracefully spilling from hanging baskets and planters. It's perfect for adding vertical interest and a cheerful, tropical touch to your balcony, patio, or garden.
• Decorative Advantages : Its bright orange flowers create a striking contrast with their dark centre, bringing vibrant and continuous colour that immediately draws the eye. It also attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Care

• Fertilization : To support its continuous and vigorous blooming, fertilize regularly (every 2 to 3 weeks) with a balanced liquid fertilizer for flowering plants, diluted according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Pruning : This plant is generally self-cleaning and does not require deadheading. You can lightly prune it at any time to maintain its shape, control its size, or encourage denser branching.
• Planting :
  • Distance : If planting in the ground or to cover a structure, space plants approximately 0.6 to 0.9 metres (2 to 3 feet) apart for good coverage.
  • Depth : Plant the root ball at the same level as the soil in the original container.
  • Period : Plant outdoors in spring, after all risk of spring frost has passed, when the soil is well warmed.