From tropical Africa, this is a reliable, quick-growing, twining plant best known as black-eyed susan. It is normally grown as an annual, which gives a colorful display of flowers throughout the summer and will easily cover a screen or trellis.

The toothed leaves are triangular and surround flowers that are trumpet shaped and up to 2 in. (5 cm) across, in shades of orange, yellow, or white, each with a chocolate-brown eye. Several plaints can be grown together in a container on a tepee of canes to give an impressive splash of color in a conservatory. Single plants can be grown up strings in a window or allowed to trail gracefully from a hanging basket.

Size: Spread 6 ½—7 ft. (2—2.2 m).

Light: Some direct sunlight every day is essential for good flowering.

Temperature: Cool to normal room temperature.

Moisture: Keep thoroughly moist.

Feeding: Apply standard liquid fertilizer every two weeks.

Propagation: Sow seed in spring.

Special needs: Pinch out the flowers as they fade to ensure the production of more.