Behold the sunny blooms of the Black-eyed Susan vine – Thunbergia alata. This specimen was grown from seed, and has just started coming into its own after battling it out in a shared large pot with some nasturtiums and hyacinth bean vines. The latter two have started their season-ending decline, and the Thunbergia has come into its own to take center stage at the 11th hour of summer. Better late than never, and this show is especially appreciated when almost everything else in the garden has ceased showing off.
The cheery blooms have certainly taken their time to appear – only a scant few sporadic blossoms have appeared throughout the summer – not enough to make much of an impression, but there are buds on the way, and more blooms appearing every day. It’s a lovely way to send off the season, and I will probably try these again next year.
This is the first time I’ve thought about next year like that. It is thrilling and comforting at once. It’s also far in the distance. We have a long fall and winter slumber in which to rest and recuperate first.
