Black-eyed Susan Vine 'Susie'

Thunbergia alata 'Susie' | Rating: 0 votes | Print / Pdf

When looking to cover that boring exterior wall with some inviting foliage, it is impossible to go wrong with Thunbergia alata. Better known as the Black-eyed Susan Vine, its flower is similar in appearance to another of the same common name - the Rudbeckia genus - but it can climb walls, trellises and other surfaces. Its thick mid-green foliage comprises a multitude of glossy, furrowed heart-shaped leaves, but its flowers are the real eye-catcher. Emerging in summer, the flowers are bright orange with a distinctive black eye in the centre. The Black-eyed Susan Vine thrives in well-drained soil, and full sun, and its long thin vines can be easily trained.

Rate it:
Plant
Known dangers?
  • no
Height [m]
  • 0.9
Spread [m]
  • 0.6
Dominant flower colour
  • Orange
Flower Fragrance
  • No, neutral please
Flowering seasons
  • Early summer
  • Mid summer
  • Late summer
Foliage in spring
  • Green
Foliage in summer
  • Green
Foliage in Autumn
  • Green
Foliage in winter
  • Green
Propagation methods
  • semi-ripe cuttings
  • Greenwood cuttings
  • seed
  • layering
Growth habit
  • Climbing
  • Twining
Environment
Acidity
  • Acidic
  • Neutral
  • Alkaline
Hardiness zone
  • Z11-15
Heat zone
  • H12-10
Winter temperatures [°C]
  • 4 - 0
Heat days
  • 150 - 210
Moisture
  • well-drained
  • well-drained but frequently watered
Soil type
  • Clay
  • chalky
  • loams
Sun requirements
  • Full sun
Exposure
  • Sheltered
Usage
Standard category
  • Flowers & bulbs
  • Perennials
Grown for
  • Attractive Flowers
Creative category
  • Fast growing
  • For Beginners
Garden type
  • Cottage garden
  • Containers
Garden spaces
  • Walls, trellises and pergolas
  • Borders
Gardening expertise
  • beginner
Time to reach full size
  • Less than one year
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4 Related plants
Thunbergia alata

Black-eyed Susan Vine

PLANTS Thunbergia alata

When looking to cover that boring exterior wall with some inviting foliage, it is impossible to go wrong with Thunbergia alata. Better known as the Black-eyed Susan Vine, its flower is similar in appearance to another of the same common name - the Rudbeckia genus - but it can climb walls, trellises and other surfaces. Its thick mid-green foliage comprises a multitude of glossy, furrowed heart-shaped leaves, but its flowers are the real eye-catcher. Emerging in summer, the flowers are bright orange with a distinctive black eye in the centre. The Black-eyed Susan Vine thrives in well-drained soil, and full sun, and its long thin vines can be easily trained.