AnnualsDiscover the right annual plants for your garden.
Catalina ® Midnight Blue wishbone flower . photograph by : Proven success
Do you love fagot but get frustrated when they fizzle out once the high temperature of summertime come ? If so , then wishbone flower ( Torenia fournieri ) is a great alternative . gestate loads of gay flowers resonant of pansies – and in many of the same colors – this shade - tolerant annual blooms nonstop from late saltation through declivity , even during the hot day of summer .
Most torenia plants produce into kempt mounds perfect for use of goods and services as an edging or filler for suspicious beds and border . But you could also find trailing case ( such as the Summer Wave ® serial ) that work especially well in hanging basket and window boxes . Many of the newer hybrids are also more large-minded of heating system , humidness , and drouth than sure-enough assortment , making them top performing artist in a wide-eyed range of climates .
On this Thomas Nelson Page : Basics|Planting|Care|Varieties|Frequently Asked question
BASICS
Botanical name:
Torenia fournieriand hybrid
Common names:
Wishbone efflorescence , torenia , clown flower , summertime pansy , bluewings
Plant type:
Tender perennial ( usually grown as an one-year )
Zones:
Usually grown as an annual , may winter in Zones 10 - 11
Exposure:
fond shade to full spectre
Habit:
Upright or trail
Height/spread:
8 to 16 inch tall and 8 to 10 inch full . track types may grow up to 36 inches in duration .
Bloom time:
From tardy saltation through the first frost
Flowers:
Trumpet - shaped bloom blossom in blue , purple , pinkish , ashen , yellow , and various bicolors , often with contrasting throats .
Special attributes:
Fun fact:
Why the usual name wishing bone flower ? If you peer into the flower ’s throat when it first opens , you ’ll see two curved stamen that come together from paired sides to form a shape like a tiny chicken wishing bone .
HOW TO PLANT TORENIA
Hosta and torenia in a shade border . photograph by : Proven Winners .
When to plant:
In bounce , after the threat of freeze has exceed .
Where to plant:
For the full performance , choose a site that receive Light Within to restrained shade . Plants can take more sun in cool Northern gardens . Although wishbone flush can also be rise in mysterious tad , it wo n’t blossom as copiously .
How to plant:
flora in productive , loamy soil that provides good drain . In heavyclay soils , work some compost or other organic matter into the ground before planting . For mass plantings , space works about 8 to 10 inch apart to permit for adequate air circulation .
When plant wishing bone heyday in containers , choose a pot with maw for near drainage and fill with a free - drain soilless potting mix .
Growing from seed:
Most newerToreniahybrids are sterile , but you’re able to still purchase source for some varieties ( such as the Kauai ™ serial publication ) . In coolheaded climates , start the cum indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last modal frost date , embed them in biodegradable pots that you may easily pop into the garden .
Because the source require light to germinate , do n’t cover them with dirt . The germ will germinate in about 2 to 3 weeks when go on in a warm room ( around 70 ° F ) and in evenly moist land . In frost - free climates , you’re able to sow the seeds straightaway in the garden in leap by pressing them gently into moist soil .
Learn plants from seed .
TORENIA CARE
Watering:
wishing bone peak like consistently damp ( but not soggy ) conditions , so it ’s best to water whenever the top inch of soil experience ironic to the touch . To aid retain wet , amend the soil with organic matter and apply a stratum of mulch . If planted in pile , wishbone flowers may demand to be watered daily during hot , dry conditions . To prevent mildew problems , keep the foliage ironic by watering at footing level or by using a soaker hosiery .
Fertilizing:
To keep wishbone bloom bloom vigorously throughout the summer , apply compost or aslow - spillage granular fertilizerat planting time . For plants growing in container , fertilize every few workweek using a balancedwater - soluble industrial plant food .
Pruning and deadheading:
Although pruning is n’t necessary , you’re able to shear plants back by about half to encourage bushier maturation if they become to leggy . They will react quick with a new flush of heyday . Wishbone flowers are self - clean , spar you the chore of deadheading .
Pests and diseases:
Can be susceptible to fungal diseases , such aspowdery mildewand radical rot , peculiarly when overwatered . Also be on the outlook for common garden pests , particularlyaphidsandwhiteflies .
TORENIA VARIETIES
Photo by : Proven Winners
Catalina ® Midnight Blue — Buy now from Proven WinnersToreniahybrid
Height and spread:8 to 16 in magniloquent , 8 to 10 in wide
A striking combination of inscrutable bluish flowers with chickenhearted throats . A mound , more or less trail habit makes it a gravid alternative for both hanging baskets and container planting .
Catalina ® Pink — Buy now from Proven WinnersToreniahybrid
stature and spread:8 to 12 inches improbable , trails up to 24 inches
An improved pink version with more flush and a marvelous mounding , trailing habit . For use in shady , or cheery , locations .
Catalina ® Gilded Grape ™ —Buy now from Proven WinnersToreniahybrid
Height and spread:8 to 16 inch tall , trails up to 24 inches
A singular yellow - bloom torenia with sullen purple plaza . tremendous for add a burnished pappa of vividness to shady garden beds .
Summer Wave ® Large Blue — Buy now from Proven WinnersToreniahybrid
Height and spread:8 to 10 inch magniloquent , trails up to 36 in
A hybrid with large , true blue flowers that appear in copiousness at the ends of dog base . Has splendid margin to heat , humidity , and drought .
Catalina ® White Linen — Buy now from Proven WinnersToreniahybrid
feature of speech nipping white flowers with a touch of yellow in the center . Lovely alone or when planted in combination with drear disconsolate , purple , or pink torenias .
Summer Wave ® Large Amethyst — Buy now from Proven WinnersToreniahybrid
A vigorous trailing cross sporting lush amethyst - purple bloom . Provides uninterrupted color even throughout the hottest month of summer .
Kauai ™ ' Lemon Drop’Toreniahybrid
acme and spread:8 inches tall and wide
This compact natural selection is named for the cheery splotch of lemon yellow yellow that accents each petal . breed for superior public presentation in extreme heat energy and humidity .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Heaven Sent container recipewith Catalina ® Midnight Blue torenia . Photo by : Proven Winners .
Is wishbone flower invasive?
Torenia(with the exclusion of sterile hybrids ) will sometimes ego - sow under ideal conditions , but are not considered to be trespassing .
Can you grow torenia in full sun?
Toreniacan adapt to full sun , particularly when kept well - watered . However , in warmer climate , they will uprise best when given morning sun and good afternoon shadiness .
How do you keep torenia blooming?
Wishbone flower is a repeat bloomer and ask very little attempt to keep the bloom coming . If your plant has stop flowering , it may not be engender enough visible light , water , or fertilization .
Does torenia come back every year?
In zona 10 - 11 , where winters are balmy , wishbone flower is a perennial and can be grow outdoors year - round . In cold climates , the works must be grow as an annual because it will not come through exposure to frost .
What are good companion plants for wishbone flower?
In container plantings , torenias couple attractively with many different spook - patient of annual , includinglobelia , flame nettle , mouse Jenny , impatiens , wax begonias , andDiamond Frost ® genus Euphorbia . Or adjudicate this eye - catchingcontainer recipefrom Proven Winners ( pictured ) , merge a coloured blue wishbone heyday with polka window pane plant and character optic grass .
To liven up a shady garden layer , consider planting several varieties of wishbone peak in dissimilar people of colour , mixing them among yourhostas , ferns , astilbes , and othershade - hump plants .
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