Torenia fournieri
If your shady muscae volitantes are looking a little deadening and uninspired , you may want to considerTorenia fourneiri , which blooms generously and bright in areas with partial Sunday to full shade exposure .
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Another mark in the “ wow ” column for this adorable one-year come from its velvety bicolored or tricolored trumpet - forge flowers with their touchy throat of contrast color .
Also known as wishing bone heyday , bluewings , and clown flower , this compact plant will grow in Zones 2 to 11 .
Let ’s learn more about this little cutie .
What You’ll Learn
What Is Torenia?
aboriginal to tropic area of Asia , this shaggy-coated plant extend to seven to 12 inches magniloquent and diffuse six to eight inches . But it ’s not strong-growing or encroaching , so there ’s no need to fear a takeover .
The flowers are reminiscent of their cousins , snapdragonandfoxglove , which are members of the figwort ( Scrophulariaceae ) syndicate .
Toreniais now considered a member of the Linderniaceae family , but was once considered a figwort family member , and you may still see the plants or seeds with the Scrophulariaceae family line recording label .
Hummingbirds will enjoythe one- by one - and - a - half - inch blossom almost as much as you do , savour their sweet nectar during the plant ’s other summertime to mid - fall bloom period .
Its “ wishbone flower ” nickname comes from the two stamens that mature from paired sides of the flush , meeting in the middle and forming a social organization that resemble a poulet wishing bone .
Its “ clown blossom ” nickname comes from its colourful “ face . ” “ Bluewing ” is derive from its often blue , wing - shape flower petal .
full companion plantings for torenia includeimpatiensandferns .
Torenia Propagation
You may be able to findToreniastarts at a local baby’s room , and that ’s the most foolproof way to propagate them .
If you do buy them already growing with the intent to embed them in your garden , prefer for specimen that are stalwart , well - fork-like , and not yet bloom .
When you get along across a hanging hoop or decorative container with plants that are already flower , though , that ’s fine .
You just do n’t want to be in a position of transplanting already bloom wishbone flowers since they may neglect if they ’re too mature .
you’re able to also do well starting these glad face annual from seeds , sowing them a one-half to one in deep in a shallow tray of seed starting mix or in single cells .
start up the seeds indoorssix to eight weeks before the expect last freeze particular date . Their shallow root systems do n’t wish to be disturbed , so your good stakes is to sow in in biodegradable pots you’re able to slew right into the garden at transplanting time .
Keep the filth evenly moist until sprouting and when the seedlings emerge , set them in bright indirect wanton orunder grow lights .
When they have three or four set of dead on target leaves and all risk of frost has passed , harden off seedlings over the course of a week to develop them for transplantation .
establish them in holes the same size as the cell they ’re mature in , with the main stem even with the grease airfoil . If you are institute biodegradable cells or peat pots , ensure the garden soil covers the edges of the prison cell .
Space them about eight to 10 inches aside to allow for adequate air flow .
you may also sow seed one-half to one column inch deeply directly in the garden just before the last hoar day of the month . Expect sprouting in 10 to 15 days .
Once they ’ve shoot , they ’ll need a bit of TLC until they ’re found and then a few minutes of routine sustainment in the following months .
Read on for more growing tips .
How to Grow Wishbone Flowers
Low - growing torenia makes a lovely edge or bedding plant that isglorious in container , too . Some gardeners also grow it in a containeras a houseplant .
One key is see to it the exposure in your chosen slur is suitable . Wishbone flowers will grow in area with a few hour of the morning sunshine with afternoon tincture , and they ’ll also thrive in entirely shady plaza , as long as the stain is suitable .
Too much sunshine will obliterate them , though .
In the landscape painting , mature torenia in well - drain , moist , organically - robust soil in an area that is partly louche .
It ’s a safe estimate to repair the orbit with aged compost at least a few month onwards of time if your docket reserve .
If potential , plant torenia in slightly acidic soil , with a pH from 6.0 to 6.5 . That ’s its preference , but it will grow okay in any pH in the 6.0 to 8.0 range .
If you choose for a container , you ’ll want to take off with a fertile , wet - retentive intermixture . For top onselecting the proper container , see our guide .
You ’ll want toapply a one - column inch layer of mulchafter seedlings emerge or after transplantation .
irrigate your plants on a regular basis , especially in blistering weather . Do get the soil dry out out at least an column inch below the surface before adding water , though .
This plant likes even moisture but not soggy soil or wet ft .
inseminate wishbone plants once or twice a month during the growing season with plant life solid food high in phosphorus , and be certain to irrigate the plants exhaustively before and after fertilizing to keep off tooth root burn .
Growing Tips
Pruning and Maintenance
This is a ego - regulating works that does n’t involve your assistant to stick around at a compact , attractive seven to 12 inches grandiloquent .
If you like , when the vernal plants are about three column inch tall , you could abstract back the growing tips to boost branched development and an attractive shaggy shape .
It ’s not necessary todeadhead the flower . In fact , some gardeners find the seed head quite attractive .
At the end of the growing season , remove the faded plants and rank them on your compost pile .
Where to Buy
Torenia are widely available in numerous shades of yellow , pink , purple , and white , each more beautiful than the last .
You may be able to find seed and/or starts at your local garden center or nursery .
Blue Torenia
For a deep puritanical mixture , with light-headed purple and yellow throats , you may bump 50 - seed packetsavailable from Outsidepride via Amazon .
They ’ll grow into a succinct , upright bush that ’s six to nine inches wide-cut .
‘ Lemon Drop ’
Or , clear up a dark spot with ‘ Lemon Drop , ’ which feature creamy flower petal with scandalmongering throats , uncommitted in 50- and 100 - ejaculate packetsfrom Outsidepride via Amazon .
This variety create a particularly attractive container planting .
Prefer a mix of colors ?
Kauai Mix
Find a gorgeous Kauai admixture featuring pinkish , icteric , and vino - colorful bloom uncommitted in 25- , 100- , and 500 - seed packetsfrom True Leaf Market .
Managing Pests and Disease
Thankfully , these plants have no serious dirt ball or disease problem .
You will desire to ascertain for aphid and whiteflies , which are both sap - sucking insects that can flaw the foliage . Left unchecked , they can also get the foliage to return off and the plant to depend scraggly .
await for more specific on preventing or combattingaphidsorwhitefliesin our template .
While they rise well in humid condition and prefer evenly moist grunge , too much humidity or overwatering ( from rainfall or the gardener ) can promote solution rot andpowdery mildew .
You may process the latter with a fungicide , such as this one from Garden Safe , useable via Amazon .
Garden Safe Fungicide
The best defence is prevention , though .
So ensure to space your wishbone plants eight to 10 column inch apart for ample air circulation , plant them in well - draining ground , and only water when the soil is ironic at least an inch below its Earth’s surface .
Best Uses for Torenia Flowers
This is a showy foul-up with beautiful colors that flower in the other summer through fall , cater color as many other annuals are fade .
Those traits merge with its power to flower in part sun and fishy spots make it a worthful addition to many surface area of the garden and landscape , from the front of moulding and bed to timberland garden and the edges of shaded paseo .
wishing bone flowers are also beautiful and soft to care for in container , whether you combine several varieties for a bacchanalia of colors or grow a undivided variety in an intense shadiness , like one of the deep purple and blue hues uncommitted .
And if you do grow it in a weed , it ’s possible to lend it inside in mid - fall to keep flower for a few more workweek .
That burst of color will boost your climate , for sure . When it ’s done , you ’ll have just a few weeks leave before it ’s time to start more seeds indoors for spring transplant , broach a unexampled time of year of happy - expression heyday .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Happier than a Clown
You ’re sure to be cheered each time you see these clown - face flowers smiling at you from shady spots of your garden .
And for moreinformation about grow flush in your garden , stop out these guides next :
© require the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . in the first place published by Gretchen Heber on January 1 , 2018 . Last updated June 25 , 2023 . Product photos via Garden Safe , Outsidepride , and True Leaf Market . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
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