Tropical Vines

Tropical vines, such as, Mandevilla and Black-Eyed Susan vine create impressive flowering displays and look incredible in containers on a deck, porch or patio. Mandevillas have red, pink, apricot or white trumpet-shaped blooms displayed against a backdrop of dark green, leathery foliage. They can be planted in containers that can be brought inside during winter or planted in the ground and treated as an annual. Black-Eyed Susan vine is another showy tropical tender evergreen vine that is best grown as an annual and replaced each year. Known botanically as Thunbergia alata, they are not related to Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan) but have similar flowering traits of a dark center surrounded by colorful petals that are yellow or orange. Lemon A-Peel sports bright yellow blooms with dark dimpled eyes. Orange A-Peal is a fearless showstopper! Boasting bright orange blooms with a black-purple eye, this vine will climb anything willing to support it. New varieties are available with white, rose, red, lilac and pastel-colored flowers. Mandevilla and Black-Eyed Susan vines can be used as stand-alone plants in a container or as companion plants in a combination planting. Using any of these vines is sure to brighten up your deck, porch, or patio all summer long. I am Eddie Smith, and I will see you next time on Southern Gardening.