Thunbergia Grandiflora

I love this plant. Unfortunately I haven't managed to keep one over winter yet. I tried bringing last year's one inside but it dropped all it's flowers, then it's leaves, and conked out. Has anyone any advice, please?


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Never tried it Liz, but often thought about giving it a go.

I can only guess about overwintering, and that would be, keep it fairly dryish and cool, above freezing of course

 

Hi Liz ... i had one for several years and it died on me here ... I don't know why ..

 

I read that the Thunbergia needs to be exposed to the East because it fears excessive heat and it needs to be water abundantly, but no stagnating water left.

It also fears dry soil in between the waterings.
If it is in a pot needs to be repotted once a year and once the pot reaches 20cm you can just renew the soil every couple of years.

 

Liz - you have probably seen this, but I had to have a Google as my thoughts jumped to the Black Eyed Susan (which is another variety) and found this on the BBC plantfinder:-


Common Name: Blue trumpet vine
Genus: Thunbergia
Species: grandiflora
Skill Level: Beginner
Exposure: Full sun
Hardiness: Tender
Soil type: Well-drained/light, Chalky/alkaline, Moist
Height: 600cm
Spread: 300cm
Time to prune: April to April

This is a fail-safe, showy, evergreen climber grown for its heart-shaped, dark green leaves and yellow-throated, bluish summer flowers. Grow in a border where its roots can spread, rather than a pot, and it'll be even more prolific. If the temperature is kept over 13C, and plants get bright, filtered light instead of full sun, there's a good chance it'll flower all year. Prune in spring if it gets out of hand. It has been given the Award of Garden Merit by the RHS.

And there is some feedback from growers here PlantFiles: Detailed information on Bengal Clock Vine, Blue Sky Vine Thunbergia grandiflora

It seems to be hardier than I would have thought. One person said it survived -9C. I suspect watering is the key. One person said that growth stops at low temperatures, so as Pete says - little water in Winter. But it seems to like a lot in summer.