Bernieh's Garden
Torenia
Genus: Torenia.
Species: Torenia fournieri.
Common name: Torenia or Blue Wings or Wishbone Flower
Botanic name: Torenia Fournieri
Family: Scrophularariaceae
Wishbone flower, or bluewings, is a warm weather annual bedding flower, up to about 12 in (30 cm) tall. The plants branch freely and grow almost as wide as high. The stems and 2 in (5 cm) opposite leaves are glabrous (without hairs). The showy flowers are velvety, about an inch and half (3.5 cm) long and an inch (2.5 cm)across.
One of the few summer annuals that grow equally well in sun or semi-shade. Plants make a compact, upright bush of eight to twelve inches in height. The pale violet flowers have deep purple blotches on the lower petals with yellow inside. Flowers bloom throughout the summer and autumn.
Torenia needs a warm climate and well-drained, compost-enriched soil. Keep the plants well watered, especially in hot, windy weather, but be careful not leave the plants standing in water.
Apply soluble plant food regularly to help maintain growth throughout the long flowering period. Deadheading is not necessary, and the seedheads are quite attractive. Plants will sometimes self-seed, so watch for the tiny, fragile seedlings in the spring.
