Orange

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Acanthaceae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Thunbergia

Species

winged

Description

A climbing ornamental herbaceous plant with a thriving summer flowering that manifests itself in a profusion of bright, warm-coloured flowers. Easy to grow, it is suitable for decorating fences and trellises in areas with a hot summer climate, preferring full sun exposure but ensuring regular Irrigation.

Variety description

A sarmentose-climbing plant that is very interesting for its flowering and ease of covering braces, or fences.

Curiosities and special features

The Genus name, Thunbergia, was given in 1780 in honour of C. P. Thunberg, a botanist and explorer who was a pupil of Linnaeus; the seeds of the winged Species were brought to England where the plant was first classified in the late 1800s.

Origin and distribution

Species native to the tropical biomes of eastern and southern Africa, naturalised in Asia and now present in many warm temperate European regions.

Flower size

Flower is small, lending elegance and lightness to the abundant flowering.

Leaf

The leaves have obovate lamina.

Flowering period

The luxuriant flowering lasts from late spring to early autumn for between 90 and 120 days, bringing a vivid and bright accent of colour to your green spaces during the warmer months.

Leaf colour

Solid colour.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 1 to 2 m in consideration of the climbing habit.

Lifespan

Biennial cycle plant.

Where to plant

Suitable for adding colour in different outdoor spaces such as flowerbeds, outdoor tubs, hanging baskets.

Stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in form, small in size, with a pinkish corolla and single-coloured petals. It flowers from late spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 90 and 120 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Medium to vigorous growing variety.

Plant habit

It develops a climbing habit.

Branching

Theabundant branching gives the variety density of foliage and flowers with a dramatic final effect.

PH

The ideal pH of the soil or Growth medium is slightly acidic, with optimum values between 6.5 and 6.8.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in late spring, carry out 20/30 cm deep digging, removing any weeds, previous crop residues and bulky pebbles. It is advisable to add professional quality substrate on the surface for about 5/10 cm by carefully levelling off.

Sun exposure

It grows and flowers well when exposed in half-shade, full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

It adapts well to hot summer climates. The ideal temperature is between 15 and 20 °C. The vital temperature is between 5 and 35 °C

Use

Appreciated by growers and green enthusiasts at all levels of experience as a plant in:

Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

Ahighly hardy variety, with appropriate irrigation it withstands high summer temperatures.

Soil

The ideal soil for Thunbergia alata is peaty and well-draining; for baskets or tubs use a high-quality professional substrate for spring plants, containing peat and perlite.

Difficulty

An easy-to-grow variety; the low level of management effort required adds value to the plant.

Growing tips

Here is a useful variety-specific indication:

With little light, plants do not flower Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering

Planting

When transplanting, ensure adequate spacing by adopting an average density of 5 plants per square metre, making sure that the lumps are well moistened but avoiding excess water with subsequent stagnation.

Propagation

Reproducible by knot cutting.

Watering

Use rainwater, alternatively from the aqueduct, either manually or by irrigation. After transplanting assist the seedling in the early stages of development in the new site by keeping it at a constant humidity. Subsequently keep the substrate or soil moist but free from stagnation, which can cause the development of fungal diseases and root rot. Avoid dry spells and water shortage stress to prevent mite attacks and leaf yellowing, and do not water the aerial part of the plant from above during the late afternoon or evening.

Fertilising

From early spring to early autumn, after proper settling following planting, apply a specific liquid fertiliser for ornamental species to the soil or medium at the foot of the plant, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water, without exceeding the frequency and doses applied to avoid burns and leaf edging.

Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity for pets not known, consider case-specific and do not administer.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

Tip

It is an extremely good plant for covering fences in the summer period and is not afraid of high temperatures; avoid water stress to avoid mite attacks.