How Do I Care for a Vining Black-Eyed Susan Plant?

The vining black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata) is a cheery addition to the garden. Blooming in red, yellow, orange or white flowers, on vines that can reach 6 to 8 feet in length, vining black-eyed Susan looks stunning trailing over a hanging basket. This vine loves to climb, so if it is planted in the ground, provide it with a sturdy structure. Vining black-eyed Susan is a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9a to 10b. In colder climates it is grown as an annual.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Composted pine bark
• Rotted manure
• 12-6-6 fertilizer
• Miticide

1. Grow the vining black-eyed Susan in full sun. Although the plant will tolerate partial shade, it will not flower as profusely as it will in full sun.
2. Provide the vine with fluffy soil. If you are just planting your vine, add 4 inches of composted pine bark and rotted manure to the soil and mix it into the top 10 inches.
3. Water the vining black-eyed Susan to keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
4. Fertilize the vine with 12-6-6 fertilizer every four weeks. Dilute the fertilizer to half the rate recommended on the package and apply it to wet soil.
5. Check the black-eyed Susan vine periodically for signs of spider mites. Evidence of this common pest includes bronze-colored webs on the flowers and foliage. Apply a miticide, according to package directions, at the first sign of an infestation.