Thunbergia alata 'African Sunset'

RHS Plant Profile

black-eyed Susan 'African Sunset'

RHS

Synonyms

Thunbergia alata 'Blushing Susie'
Thunbergia alata 'African Sunset'

Climber Wall Shrub Conservatory Greenhouse

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
3 Suppliers

A tender, evergreen twining climber, grown as an annual and reaching up to 2.4m tall with heart-shaped leaves. The flowers borne from summer into early autumn are a range of colours from red through pinks, apricots, pale yellows and creams but all with the characteristic dark brown centre

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Acanthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Climbing
Genus: Thunbergia can be annuals or perennials, often twining climbers, with simple opposite leaves and trumpet-shaped or salver-shaped flowers borne singly in leaf axils, or in racemes, in summer
Name Status: Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a well drained soil in full sun with a support for the plant to climb

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Aphids may cause problems

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews