They are a favorite here, and I doubt your heat is worse than ours (though maybe drier). I have seen them in hanging pots and I have seen them in porch pots twining up the chains of a porch swing. I'd think a small trellis (may 2 to 4 feet) would be fine. I'd definitely plant them somewhere. they're very pretty.

They seem to do alright with the heat and humidity here as long as they are well watered. I have one planted in the ground with a 4' obelisk for it to climb. Unfortunately, mine seems to require alot of coaxing to get it to climb. As much of it is trailing on the ground as is growing upwards. It's a very pretty plant, I just may have to consider a different presentation if I grow one in the future.

Totally Confused

Thanks Donna and Confused. Each of you have added great information to my fried brain.
Donna: I've lived in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi among other southern states and the heat/humidity is as much a killer here as in those more southern states. It's just that we don't have to suffer as long (mid-May to Oct. 1st here). It's great to know that Thunbergia can survive the summer weather. I've seen some yellow ones in a hanging basket and they looked very nice but because I thought they wouldn't stand up to our summers I passed on buying them. Much easier then the seed route....Confused: I'm right there with you on growth habit. Of my two seedlings, one is clambering up a bamboo stake the other refuses to twine and just collapses and tangles up amongst itself. So like you I'm confused. I think I'll put them in a pot I have underneath a short Obelisk and let them each do their thing. One thing I've discovered about Thunbergia that I'm not too crazy about - they are spider mite food...Thanks again........Maryl