Thunbergia alata 'Yellow Dark Eye' (Suzana cu ochi negri)

Thunbergia alata ‘Yellow Dark Eye’, also known as "Black-eyed Susan vine" or "Sunny Susy® Yellow Dark Eye," is a tropical climbing plant valued for its vibrant yellow flowers with a dark center. Native to East Africa, this species is often grown as an annual in temperate climates.

🌼 General Characteristics

• Plant type: annual climber (perennial in frost-free areas)

• Family: Acanthaceae

• Height: up to 1.8–2.4 meters in a single season

• Foliage: dark green, heart-shaped or triangular, with slightly serrated edges

• Flowers: yellow with a dark center (dark brown or black), approximately 3.8–5 cm in diameter

• Flowering period: from spring until the first frost

☀️ Environmental Requirements

• Light: prefers full sun; tolerates partial shade but flowering may be reduced

• Soil: rich in organic matter, well-drained, with neutral pH

• Watering: moderate; keep soil slightly moist, avoiding excess water

• Temperature: ideal between 18°C and 30°C; does not tolerate temperatures below 4°C

🌿 Care and Maintenance

• Support: requires support structures such as trellises, fences, or pergolas

• Fertilization: apply a balanced fertilizer every 4–6 weeks during the growing season

• Pruning: not necessary; removing wilted flowers can encourage blooming

• Winter care: in cold winter areas, it can be grown in pots and brought indoors

🐝 Benefits and Uses

• Pollinator attraction: flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

• Versatility: suitable for vertical gardens, hanging baskets, containers, and as temporary ground cover (does not tolerate frost).

• Aesthetics: adds a splash of color and vitality to any space

Thunbergia alata ‘Yellow Dark Eye’ is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a climbing plant with abundant flowering and easy maintenance, bringing a touch of exoticism and color to the garden or terrace.

Attention! The flowers of this plant are temperature-sensitive – it may arrive without flowers but is capable of blooming again. The displayed price is for a plant with or without flowers.

Height including pot approx. 35-40 cm