Torenia fournieri aka Bluewings

Taxonomy

Torenia fournieri, also known as wishbone flower or bluewings, is a beautiful annual plant that belongs to the Linderniaceae family. This compact plant is perfect for adding color to shady areas of the garden and is resistant to deer while attracting hummingbirds. It has blue, white, or pink trumpet-shaped flowers with yellow markings, and its leaves are simple, opposite, or subopposite with serrated edges. Wishbone flowers bloom profusely from early summer until cold weather arrives, making them an ideal landscape annual. They prefer part sun to shade, especially in hot summer climates, and thrive in rich, moist soils with mulch to keep their roots cool. Wishbone flowers can be planted in the spring after the threat of frost has passed and can be brought inside for the winter.

Common names

Bluewings, Wishbone Flower, Wishbone Plant

How to care for Bluewings

Difficulty

With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Bluewings, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.

Water

Bluewings should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Bluewings loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Bluewings prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Fertilizer

Once the Bluewings has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Bluewings as it grows vertically.


More info:
Wikipedia