Wishbone Flower (Torenia fournieri) is a shade-loving annual that thrives where many flowers struggle, producing abundant two-lipped, trumpet-shaped blooms from early summer straight through to frost. The species bears pale violet flowers with dark blue-purple lower lips and bright yellow throat blotches, though modern cultivars expand the palette to include burgundy, pink, rose, lavender, and white. Growing just 6-12 inches tall and 6-9 inches wide, it's a compact, bushy plant that tolerates partial to full shade and actually prefers cooler conditions over scorching heat. Hardy in zones 2-11, it performs best in consistently moist, organically rich soil and will reward you with reliable blooms for months.
Partial Shade
Moderate
2-11
12in H x 9in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
This annual earns its common name from the paired stamens that resemble a wishbone, and it's one of the few flowering plants that genuinely prefers shade over sun. Unlike heat-loving annuals that sulk in summer, wishbone flower actually dislikes hot, humid conditions and performs better with afternoon shade protection and a cooling mulch. The combination of shade tolerance, extended bloom time, and compact growth habit makes it exceptional for brightening shady corners where most colorful annuals simply won't perform.
Wishbone flower serves as a showy annual for garden beds and borders, particularly in shaded areas where other flowering annuals falter. Its compact, bushy growth habit and reliable blooming from summer through frost make it well-suited for edging, containers, and shade gardens.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seed indoors in late winter to early spring, 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Seeds are tiny and benefit from light to germinate, so press them gently onto moist seed-starting mix without covering them completely. Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain temperatures around 70-75°F. Seedlings will emerge in 7-10 days under proper conditions.
Harden off seedlings gradually over 7-10 days by exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed and nighttime temperatures stay above 55°F. Space plants 6-9 inches apart in their final shaded location. Water well after transplanting to settle the soil.
Pinch back young seedlings when they're 2-3 inches tall to encourage bushier growth. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming throughout the season, though this is optional as the plant flowers prolifically with minimal intervention.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.