Native to the subtropical jungles of Central Africa, black-eyed Susan vines require humid and warm areas in order to thrive. Black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata) is a flowering, evergreen member of the acanthus family characterized by sunflower-like blossoms and toothed, triangular leaves. The black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) has a rich history as a native wildflower, popular first as a medicinal herb used by pre-colonial Native Americans and then finding its way into 19th century cultivated flowerbeds.. Surely that was smart marketing, but that little vine with its little yellow trumpet blooms is Thunbergia alata, nowhere near the Rudbeckia genus. That's what you get when you let a Black-eyed Susan Vine twine its way through fences and gates or up pillars and poles. The Black-Eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia Alata) is a tropical plant that originally came from parts of Africa, Asia, and Madagascar. The most commonly thought of Rudbeckia is the traditional black-eyed Susan, a daisy-like flower with gold petals and a dark center seed head. The stems twine and wrap around supports and can wend their way along nearly any structure. If you live in warmer southern states, a black-eyed Susan Vine will be a perennial and bloom year after year. It also has the well-known scratchy, hairy leaves, which are not one of its best features. I had to go to the garden center and buy the right ones already growing .. Welcome the newest member of the Black Eyed Susan family -- bold, flower happy, formal black and white Black Eyed Susie! Black- Eyed Susan vines are not to be confused with the bushy Black-Eyed Susan wildflower (Rudbeckia Hirtathat) that is native to the U.S. This climbing vine grows easily from seed, bearing early-summer to early- or mid-fall flowers with brownish-purple eyes that perfectly showcase the white, yellow, salmon, or orange petals. Trading on the fame of the real thing, someone named a small tropical vine that grows easily indoors the "Black-Eyed Susan Vine." Close Relatives, other "Coneflowers" Managing to look very bushy but never getting out of hand, this vine is ideal for growing up through fences and gates, pillars and poles. Black-eyed Susan vine is a beautiful green climbing vine that produces striking yellow flowers that looked like daisies. Nothing evokes a country gate or rustic mailbox as cheerily as a twining Black-Eyed Susan Vine, with masses of blooms all summer and large, lush foliage. The shading is spectacular on a vine in full flower. As if arrayed in evening attire, this smart vine is prepared to dress up any part of your garden or even your containers. The seeds I received were not black eyed Susan vines. In the landscape, count on black-eyed Susan vines to blanket a trellis or tuteur with ease. The Thunbergia flowers may be white, yellow or orange, and often have a black centre. There are many different species of Thunbergia grown in the garden and some of the common varieties include Black eyed Susan Vine, Orange clock vine, Dolls Shoes, Clock vine, and Sky vine. Its now too late to buy the right ones for the display I wanted to make. The Black-Eyed Susan Vine is not. Black eyed susan vine (Thunbergia) is perennial in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 and above, but it grows happily as an annual in cooler climates.Although it isn’t related to the familiar black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia), the vibrant orange or bright yellow blooms of black eyed susan vine are somewhat similar.This fast-growing vine is also available in white, red, apricot, and several bi-colors.