Blue Sky Vine, Blue Trumpet Vine, Blue Sky Thunbergia

Description

Clusters and chains of large 3" wide purple-blue trumpet shaped flowers with contrasting yellow throats are produced throughout much of the growing season and attract larger bees and butterflies as well as the occassional hummingbird. The Blue Sky Vine, Thunbergia grandiflora, is an exceptionally popular tropical vine that is easy, reliable, hasexcellent flower power anditcan be grown as a die-back perennial in zones 8-9 if established early in the growing season (click the "More Details and Growing Info" link or the plant's image to learn more). Itmayremain evergreen in warm frost free tropical climates where it can flower nearly yearround.The Blue Sky Vine is aheat and sunloving twining vine suitable for metal fences, smaller arbors, and medium to large trellises or other sturdy supports. Provide awell-drained, moderately fertile soil. The Blue Sky Vinecan also be enjoyed as an easy and low-maintenance container plant.

The Blue Sky Vine, Variegated Blue Sky Vine, White Sky Vine,and the Blue Glory Vine are tropical Thunbergia plants that we are often able to grow and enjoy as long-lived die-back perennials in areas where winter brings freezing temperatures, like in USDA Cold Hardiness zones 8-9. *Note: To help give them the best chance of returningin the groundthey should be planted out as early in the growing season as reasonably possible, but after all danger of freeze and frost have passed, in order for them to be able to establish a strong root system and a well-established crown from which they can return the following spring. A breathable insulative protective mulch, like pine straw, will also help to improve their chances of returning.As container plants these tropical vinesare susceptible to the soil freezing and could be killed by it anywhere temperatures remain below 32oF for any real length of time and so may need to be brought indoors or grown in a greenhouseduring cold spells.Alternatively, overwinter young plants in containers then plant them out the following spring, again,once all danger of freeze and frost has passed and once soil temperatures have begun to significantly warm. These perennialThunbergias can be a little slow to return (mid-spring here in zone 8B, early to mid-spring in zone 9)as theypreferfairly warm soil temperaturesto begin growth.

An LSU Agcenter recommended vine. Read more on "Groundcovers and Vines for Louisiana Landscapes" from Allen Owings and Dan Gill by clicking here or the "More Info…" link below.