Cape Honeysuckle Tecoma capensis
Tecoma Capensis, commonly known as cape honeysuckle, is a flowering, versatile evergreen that is suitable as a climbing vine, border plant, shrub, or ground cover. It blooms in clusters of tubular, red-orange flowers that are about 2 inches in length in the late summer, fall and winter.
It is a rambling shrub that will grow to 20 feet with support or can be pruned into an upright shrub that is 8 feet tall with branches that root where they touch the ground.
The shiny leaves are divided into 5-7 toothed and pointed leaflets, similar to a rose leaf. Orange-red long tubular flowers bloom in clusters during the fall and winter. Plant in sun or light shade needs little water. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
A good plant can be left in its natural form or can be sheared for use as a screen or hedge. This plant is native to a large part of South Africa and found throughout Northern Province, Mpumalanga, Swaziland, KwaZulu-Natal, Cape coast, and Mozambique.
Cape honeysuckle grows rapidly and can reach up to 30 feet in ideal conditions. It prefers well-drained soil, moderate watering, and full to partial sunlight. Cape honeysuckle is hardy in zones 9 through 11.
Germination:
Sow seeds the thickness of the seeds and lightly cover with a medium. Keep moist in a bright spot. Do not cover with plastic but maintain a temperature around 65-75F. Germination 7-30 days.
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