Thunbergia Species, Bengal Clock Vine, Blue Sky Vine

On Nov 7, 2020, CelesteHutch from Yulee, FL wrote:

I purchased my second blue sky vine early this spring. I had one about 20 years ago and it grew along a fence for about 40 feet each year and bloomed profusely. I loved it, one of my favorites. This year in late winter I found another one, there hard to find in Florida. It grew like crazy but didn't flower until about mid summer. I noticed that it bloomed on the sun side of the vine. It's early November and it is producing more and more blooms on the side. We planted it at the corner of our house along the downspout from the gutters. We've had a lot of rain in Northeast Florida this year. Am now trying to plant some of its seeds as I have friends who would like one.

On Sep 8, 2018, Rests from Bryan, TX wrote:

As with other vines, I was advised that this would take over the yard like crazy. This has been a true disappointment. It started out growing like crazy as long as we got lots and lots of rain. When the rain stopped and started using city water, this vine started cratering. Bryan water has a lot of sodium. I think I will end up pulling it all up and throwing it in the trash. Not worth the high price that it costs to buy it. Was hoping for a real invasive vine.

May 2019

Decided to give it another chance. It died down almost down to the ground. The little stem is green, but it has not tried to sprout. It is in a pot. If it doesn't sprout in the next couple of weeks, I will throw it in the trash. Beautiful vine, but a real dud in Central Texas... read more. Don't waste your money on this plant!

On Sep 4, 2016, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote:

In tropical to semitropical climates, this is a woody, evergreen, twining liana that can climb 60' and bloom year-round. In warm temperate climates, it blooms from late summer into fall. Very vigorous and floriferous here in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico, and deservedly popular.

It has a tuberous root system with a deep taproot. This makes it drought tolerant once established, though it performs best with lots of water in summer and kept fairly dry in winter.

It's unusual in its tolerance for shade.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its coveted Award of Garden Merit.

This twiner can smother large trees. Best planted where it can climb a fence, wall, pergola, or other structure.

It has become a serious environme... read morental weed in wet tropical parts of Australia.

On Oct 30, 2014, vossner from East Texas,
United States (Zone 8a) wrote:

Mine has done poorly b/c of insufficient moisture. It's inground, part shade, growing along an oak for support. I won't move it. If it lives, it lives. Not fond of vines as a rule, but love the beautiful blue flowers I've seen in garden tours.

On Mar 10, 2014, behunkas from Venice, FL wrote:

i have tentatively identified this plant as one growing in semi-shade on fence outside office building in venice(island)florida. but, it is blooming now, in early march. no one in the office building can identify the plant, but all admire its beautiful lavender bloom. is there a vine guru out there who can confirm my identification, or offer a suggestion re what this vine might be?

On Apr 24, 2012, Nanciii from Bossier City, LA wrote:

I have had the Blue Sky flower for years comes back every year and its gorgeous, it loves to take over my gate, some years have been better than others as far as blooming last yr with the heat vine was fine blooms pretty minimal. Mine blooms when the heat of the summer get here late june Ealy July. One of my absolute favorites.

On Jul 4, 2010, Aquarius247 from Lake Alfred, FL wrote:

I've grown this vine in my central Florida yard for 3 years. I never knew its name until now. This past winter it froze to the ground, but now it is growning up an old clothes line post and line. It flowers from late June to late winter. The only problem I've encountered was from aphids. I did grow a second vine from a cutting after rooting it in water. The flowers look like Morning Glory but last for days.

On Jul 13, 2009, khabbab from lahore,
Pakistan (Zone 10b) wrote:

In lahore pakistan, this vine blooms late in summer till start winter. Blue blooms are very pretty. It responds good to container culture. It is fast growing vine needs fertilizer in growing season. There is another yellow flower variety called black eyed Susan but it has smaller flowers than blue ones.

On Jan 29, 2009, WillowWasp from Jones Creek, TX (Zone 9a) wrote:

This plant is a joy to keep and so beautiful to look at. I wish I had more and I will try and do cuttings and see how well they do this spring. I am really impressed with her and I love all the beautiful flowers from early spring to almost winter.

On Sep 29, 2007, lsander153 from Pittsburgh, PA wrote:

I planted this in a pot from a small cutting last May. I put the pot next to an 8' trellis in a sunny part of my garden. It bloomed pretty well at the start, then grew profusely up the trellis, but with no blooms. There are now (September) two flowers at the top, and several buds. I plan to cut it back and bring the pot in over the winter. I'd like to know how to get more blooms.

On May 16, 2006, ANGELONA from 00987,
Venezuela wrote:

Hello. I dont speak spanish well. I cant seed this plant... i have cuttings but dont grow. This plant have seeds?

Someone explain me please how I can reproduce thunbergia grandiflora?

Gracias.

On Jul 12, 2005, dmaroni from Chapel Hill, NC wrote:

I grow this in a pot, outdoors in the summer, then cut it back and overwinter it in a greenhouse. It grows vigorously but produces only few of its gorgeous flowers only late in the season.

I am troubled by all of the discussions of its invasiveness in Australia and Hawaii **and** Florida
where it is considered a real nuisance. I'm reminded of kudzu which also has pretty flowers and, what's more, incredible grape-soda fragrance: this beast is marching across some parts of the NC landscape and it has almost devoured SC and GA. It would be horrible if like that were to happen with Thunbergia, so those of you who have it survive over winter should be especially careful that it doesn't get away from you!

On Jul 10, 2004, zachcap from Cortez, FL wrote:

I need some info regarding feeding practices to encourage bllooms on a thunbergia vine in SW Fla. Any suggestions?

On Jun 15, 2004, Wingnut from Spicewood, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:

GORGEOUS vine!!! Roots easily from cuttings, though it takes a while. As long as they're green DON'T throw them out! Give them time, even months. They'll root.

On Mar 13, 2004, crisee44 from Morriston, FL wrote:

I bought this from a local plant distributor here in Levy Co Fl.
I planted two plants about 8 feet apart in front of my deck and they completely covered the railings (22' long) in the first season.
The flowers came in the first yr too, and were absolutely beautiful and so profuse.
It has warmed up here in Central Fl and last week I found the plant already growing 44" up my deck. There area several shooters on the ground and I cut, dipped them in rooting compound and transplanted them in several other areas. One week later, they are still doing great. Can't wait to see how the cutting do this yr.

On Nov 11, 2003, chrislyn from La Porte, TX (Zone 9a) wrote:

I have had this vine growing in my backyard for about 2 years now. It is beautiful, fast growing and no signs of pest problems. I strongly recommend it.

On Jun 22, 2003, amelia98 from Brookline, NH wrote:

Bought 2 or 3 years ago as a houseplant for those gorgeous flowers, it turned out to be infested with bugs and was tossed out the back door. I planted it next to the house not expecting it to survive the harsh winters of NH. The ants and lady bugs are taking very good care of it's bug problem and it's about to reach the top of the second story of my house. Prolific growth but not uncontrollable. Unfortunately, no sign of any flowers yet.

On Sep 4, 2002, tiG from Newnan, GA (Zone 8a) wrote:

Fast growing very pretty vine. The flower is one of the most beautiful I've seen. Haven't seen any bugs on this plant all summer, and have had no problems at all with it.
Will root from the petiole, takes a while, but is proven successful.