Overview

Thunbergia alata Sunny Susy Brownie ('Sumthun 04'PBR) (Sunny Susy Series) is a climbing climber wall shrub in the genus Thunbergia, part of the Acanthaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Thunbergia alata Sunny Susy Brownie ('Sumthun 04'PBR) (Sunny Susy Series) grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H2. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, city and courtyard gardens and flower borders and beds.

About

Thunbergia alata Sunny Susy Brownie ('Sumthun 04'PBR) (Sunny Susy Series) is a climbing, evergreen member of the Acanthaceae grown for its twining stems and summer flowering. It prefers full sun on a neutral loam with free drainage and a sheltered, south-facing aspect. As an H2 (half-hardy) plant it benefits from siting where frost exposure is limited or from winter protection under glass. It suits walls, containers and conservatory display.

About the genus

Thunbergia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae. It includes 150 species native to tropical and subtropical regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, New Guinea, and Australia. Thunbergia species are vigorous annual or perennial vines and shrubs growing to 2–8 m tall.

Wikipedia contributors, "Thunbergia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Thunbergia

In the garden

Thunbergia alata Sunny Susy Brownie ('Sumthun 04'PBR) (Sunny Susy Series) is an evergreen climber in the Acanthaceae. It produces its main display from June to October and is often chosen where twining stems can be trained up a support or across a trellis. Sit it in full sun on a neutral loam that drains freely; consistently wet soil will reduce vigour. A south-facing, sheltered aspect is preferable and the plantType designation includes use on walls and in conservatory or greenhouse conditions. The cultivar is H2 (half-hardy), so provide frost protection in exposed sites—moving a container under cover over winter or positioning plants against a warm, sheltered wall will reduce cold stress. Use Sunny Susy Brownie where a climbing habit is wanted in cottage and informal plantings, on patios and in containers, in courtyards, or at the front of flower borders. Train young shoots onto ties or a framework to establish an even cover and remove spent blooms to prolong flowering through to October; these simple actions keep the twining stems neat while maintaining the summer display.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Thunbergia

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H2

Plant details

Thunbergia alata Sunny Susy Brownie ('Sumthun 04'PBR) (Sunny Susy Series) size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Climber Wall Shrub, Conservatory Greenhouse

Habit

Climbing

Foliage

Evergreen

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Flower borders and beds

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Thunbergia alata Sunny Susy Brownie ('Sumthun 04'PBR) (Sunny Susy Series)

Propagation

Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings

Pest resistance

Aphids, Glasshouse red spider mite, Glasshouse whitefly, Scale insects

Disease resistance

Powdery mildews

Frequently asked questions