Plant of the month Black-eyed Susan
Limited space in your garden? Think vertically and select a climber this one ticks all the right boxes
0 Our indigenous black-eyed Susan is perfect for small gardens. It is quick-growing but not rampant and blooms for months on end. It is a lowmaintenance climber that requires little pruning.
Its long, twining stems quickly wrap themselves around a framework or fence and because it is a lightweight climber, it does not need a heavy structure for support. It will also grow up a pillar or pole and is perfect for an arch. The thin stems and profusion of blooms make it a wonderful plant for any type of structure.
Black-eyed Susan bears bright orange flowers with a distinctive black eye in the centre; it is also available in yellow and even cream, white, apricot and almost red – all with a black eye, hence its common name. This climber blooms all summer long and in warmer regions will flower almost year-round. Even young plants bloom well. It is regarded as a perennial but because it is frostsensitive, gardeners in very cold areas grow it as an annual.
Plant this climber in compost-rich soil and protect it from strong winds. Keep it well watered until established, after which it needs a moderate amount of water. In winter rainfall regions, it must be kept moist in summer. To keep the roots cool in summer, add a mulch of compost.
Black-eyed Susan needs little pruning. It can be cut back if it grows too big but this is usually not the case. To encourage more blooms, give the plant a light pruning in spring. If it is damaged by frost, cut back to soil level – it will resprout quickly and return to its former glory. This climber also grows easily from seed – look out for seed packs at nurseries.
Choose wisely
• Even a small garden needs a climber but it is important to choose the right plant if your space is limited. A vigorous climber will soon overwhelm the space and need lots of pruning to keep it in check. Rather select a climber that naturally stays small and doesn’t need constant pruning. • Flowering climbers or those that provide beautiful autumn colours are a good choice as they have a dual purpose: they provide cover for a wall or structure and add colour with their flowers and autumn foliage. • Plant climbers with fragrant blooms near a stoep or bedroom window. • Deciduous climbers work well for areas where you want sun in winter, but rather choose an evergreen plant to hide an unsightly fence or wall. • Check how much sun or shade your chosen location gets before you select your plant. A climber grown in the right place will do so much better and will quickly cover the area. • Install a support structure (remember, in a small space the framework will be more conspicuous than in a large garden); for most smaller climbers, a light frame is sufficient. As it grows, secure the climber with plant ties to keep it neat.