Thunbergia alata 'Blushing Susie' seeds

Thunbergia alata (black-eyed Susan vine, suzanne aux yeux noirs, oeil de suzanne) is a perennial vine native to eastern Africa, grown as an annual here in Toronto.

Despite the similarity of the common names, thunbergia should not be confused with our native black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta (rudbeckie dressée). Unlike rudbeckia, thunbergia is not a composite flower; rather it has trumpet-shaped flowers with five petals and an almost black throat. The species has light yellow-orange petals, however cultivars are available in yellow, white, and in the case of 'Blushing Susie', peachy-pink.

I got these seeds from Park Seed.

Veseys claims this plant attracts hummingbirds, however I haven't been able to find any photos of hummingbirds visiting T. alata so I'm a bit sceptical.

Convolvulus arvensis

Warning: this plant is moderately invasive in Toronto.

Convolvulus arvensis, known in English as "field bindweed" and in French as liseron des champs, is a perennial native to Eurasia which is now found throughout most of North America. The flowers are white, turning pink with age, and show a clear resemblance to their cousins the morning glories (e.g. Ipomoea purpurea, Ipomoea tricolor).

According to Invasive Exotic Species Ranking for Southern Ontario, field bindweed is moderately invasive here. A native which looks similar, only with larger, showier flowers, is hedge false bindweed (Calystegia sepium).

I photographed this plant in Almonte, Ontario.

Euonymus fortunei

Euonymus fortunei, known in English as "wintercreeper" and in French as fusain de Fortune or fusain de Japon, is a woody perennial vine native to east Asia. Its beautiful foliage, often variegated with yellow or white, brightens many winter gardens in my neighbourhood.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia: new foliage

Parthenocissus quinquefolia, known in English as "Virginia creeper" and in French as vigne vierge de Virginie, is a climbing perennial vine native to eastern and central North America.

Virginia creeper is such a vigorous grower that some consider it invasive, though I prefer to reserve the label "invasive" for non-native plants. In the fall, it is one of the first plants to turn colour, a gorgeous bright red. The dark blue berries provide food for birds.

I photographed this plant in front of the Danforth/Coxwell Library.

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea, known as bougainvillée or bougainvillier in French, is a genus of woody vines native to South America, whose insignificant flowers are surrounded by very showy coloured bracts, in pink, red, orange, yellow, white, or purple.

Bougainvillea is not hardy enough to survive Toronto winters outside, but it can grow outside in the summer and move indoors for the winter. My dad grew a lovely bougainvillea as a houseplant. The specimen shown is in a greenhouse at Allan Gardens.

Ipomoea purpurea 'Crimson Rambler': flowers

Ipomoea purpurea, known in English as morning glory and in French as gloire du matin or ipomoée pourpre is an annual vine native to Mexico and Central America. It bears numerous showy trumpet-shaped flowers, about 10 cm across, in purple, pink, or white.

This is another one of those misleadingly labelled cultivars. To me this is not crimson, it is fuchsia. It's still pretty, but it would be easier to plan the garden if people didn't give plants misleading names and descriptions.

Ipomoea tricolor 'Heavenly Blue': flower

Ipomoea tricolor, known in English as morning glory or grannyvine and in French as ipomée tricolor is a tender perennial* climbing vine native to the tropics of the Americas. The large trumpet shaped blossoms, which may be blue, purple, white, or pink, open early in the morning and close as the temperature rises. The cultivar shown, 'Heavenly Blue', has especially large blossoms in an exquisite true blue. Seeds are best directly sown in the garden after the last frost; soak them 24 hours before planting.

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* grown as an annual in Toronto.