Impatiens are the obvious choice for most when it come to a favorite yearly flowering shade plant . To deviate a minute this yr , try torenia . Torenia , also bang as the wishbone heyday or bluewing , is a cunning and buoyant companion or option to the older base - by .
Torenia produce flowers from early summer to lessen . Their nerveless colors will brighten up your shady nook or crannies . Their farsighted live on efflorescence and trailing nature will also make your undercoat containers or hanging field goal pop . They are beautiful tucked in careen garden and set along pathways .
Torenia are aboriginal to Africa and Asia . They belong to the snapdragon family , which open them a playful timbre . Their nickname , “ the wishbone flower , ” come from the pattern of their stamens . When you gently wedge the flower petals apart , you could see the stamens . They curl together into the shape of a wishing bone .
Most often blue , torenia are also found in shades of pinkish , yellow , regal , and white . They are ordinarily 8 inches tall and about 6 inches wide . While they choose raging and humid experimental condition , torenia can be grown in most region . There is n’t any understanding not to give these sweet little show - stoppers a try this farm season .
Growing Torenia Flowers
Torenia is easy to develop . It takes a routine longer than most other plant to sprout , so it should be started indoors from germ 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost . Start the seeds in rich compost stain . Cover the germ light and be careful not to irritate the roots when watering the bantam head start .
For a bushier plant , nip off the growing tip of the plant to encourage separate when your seedling is about 3 inches grandiloquent .
you could buy torenia at your favorite nursery or garden center , too . transfer your home - grown or store - bought seedlings outside after the threat of frost has passed . ready your outdoor soil with a thin layer of sand to increase the stain ’s water drain . Place your transplants 6 inch asunder .
irrigate your torenia often enough to keep the dirt around the works moist . Place an column inch of mulch underneath your plant and maintain that stratum throughout the growing season to keep the wet in the roots of your torenia . Do n’t let the filth become dry , but deflect allowing mucky soil , too .
Every month , feed your soil a nice compost to keep your torenia blooming bountifully . Also , pinch off the dying bounty of blooms each week to make room for new increase .
To grow torenia in containers , use a rich , well draining soil . water supply often enough to keep the soil moist . Torenia is beautiful all by itself in a container , or it can be paired with another spectre resistant plant such as genus Perilla . The genus Perilla provides a dramatic backcloth of deeply colored leafage for the sheer green leafage and colorful flower of the torenia .
If you really love torenia , and would rather not be without it at the remainder of the develop season , torenia can be grown as a houseplant . Treat your indoor torenia to the collateral but bright light of a north or eastward facing windowpane . Keep your soil moist , just as you would for your outdoor torenia . Feed your indoor plant monthly with a fertilizer luxuriously in phosphorous . This will support your plant life ’s power to flower .
Torenia Pests and Problems
Torenia is broadly a stout little plant . Its pest - free and problem - free nature nominate it all the more loveable . Mold and rot are its most common problem . right watering technique and upright spacing for air circulation will avert these military issue .
Varieties to Try
‘ Large blueness ’ is a intrepid , drouth resistant smorgasbord that blossom early . Its blooms last throughout the time of year .
‘ Midnight Blue ’ is a rare “ reliable down ” flower salmagundi . hoot and hummingbird have it off this one .
‘ Pink ’ is a bright , well-chosen variety that is sure to titillate - you - pink .
For a near - up look at torenias , watch :
Creative Commons Flickr photo courtesy ofJinx!,Serres Fortier , andPatrick McNally
