A winner :D

for spending the winter in a window. I really am following in love with:
Common name: Blue Boy or Clock Vine
Family: acanthaceae
Genus: thunbergia
Species battiscombei

It started blooming outside and even tho it dropped it's buds with constant hauling in and out (spending three days in a dark shed didn't help) it has now come back strong and is covered with buds/flowers. I really think it is a winner for growers in lower zones. Should also mention it blooms the first year from a small cutting. Just be aware it is a larger leafed vine and has a huge root system (needs a very large pot).

The flower is a more intense blue than the picture is portraying.

This message was edited Oct 6, 2004 12:53 PM

This is good info, Pam. Thanks - always nice to find a flowering plant that can live in a window in January... :-) Will you be posting these comments in the PDB as well?

Shannon

Thanks for the reminder Shannon....it's in the queue now. :)

It really surprised me.....I have T. Grandifora but it isn't as determinedly floriferous, or as fast a grower, as T. Battiscombei.

I have this one too. I just love the color.
Pretty pic Pam.

Thank you for the compliment Liz. How big is yours now? Mine, compared to the two other thunbergias I have, has pleasantly surprised me with an amazing growth burst.

Obviously it's not as large of yours.
One that I am going to get rid of this year is Solandra maxima. It's about 8ft long, 3 years old and has never bloomed.

Good to know that Liz.....it's one I have eyed off and on. If you are having problems, with your abilities, greenhouse and zone, it's one I'll bypass. ;)

Right now my Clock vine is about three feet tall (was 6 inches two months ago). I had thought of moving it into a smaller pot for winter but was shocked to discover a root growth that surpasses what is visible above ground.

The beauty that I thought I'd lost is back and blooming again! Ü

Thanks for sharing Pam
what a pretty blue,,

I've seen this plant at the nursery, Pam, but was unaware of how lovely it can be. Hmmmm

That's gorgeous Pam.