When the upper petal of Torenia fournieri is bent back it discloses a wishbone formed by two stamens and that is why it is called Wishbone Flower. Except for this surprise element, its two-toned, velvety blue flowers with yellow centers look rather like pansies and violas but they’re more satisfactory as bedding plants because they bloom until frost.
By mid-summer, a single plant will often produce several dozen flower topped stems 8 inches high. In my garden, self-sown seeds germinate in unexpected numbers. There’s no trouble in transplanting seedlings because they have fibrous roots.
Jointed stems broken off plants or saved from withering bouquets are easily rooted. This may be done by putting stems into moist soil on an overcast or rainy day during July or early August or, better still, by dusting them with a hormone powder and rooting them in vermiculite.
Young plants transplanted from elsewhere or rooted thus may then be tucked into spaces left bare by short-lived annuals and spring bulbs. Some of the effects are charming, such as torenia with petunias, French marigolds and small zinnias or with fuchsia, lantana or impatiens. One of my loveliest combinations is torenia with coral Impatiens sultani.
Wishbone flowers are perfect for the semi-shaded areas in the garden where the soil is moist. They are also lovely in window and porch boxes or pots. By taking up small, stocky plants before frost, the beautiful flowers can be enjoyed for a few weeks longer as a house plant.
by GB, NY
