Cape Honeysuckle - Tecomaria capensis
In my garden, growing against and above a house wall, in Tucson, Arizona, Southwestern USA. The dead branches, up high, were killed by a hard freeze a few years ago. I hope to prune them soon...
Thank you Plantaholic Sheila for reminding me of they name of this sensational plant.
I gather these are from South Africa.
ecomandurban.blogspot.com/2015/08/cape-honeysuckle-tecoma...
Growing Tecoma capensis (aka Tecomaria capensis)
Cape Honeysuckle is an easy to grown and fast growing, scrambling shrub which is evergreen but will loose its leaves if it gets too dry or if the temperatures fall below freezing. Tecoma capensis produces masses of orange to deep red flowers, there is also a yellow variety which unfortunately does not attract birds to the flowers.
Tecoma capensis will grow in just about any soil. When being planted it will grow best if a good sized hole is dug and is backfilled with a mixture of one third compost mixed with the soil that came out of the hole and a little balanced fertilizer. Please do not forget to water the plants as soon after they have been planted as possible to settle them in, thereafter they will need sufficient water to keep them moist until established. Once well established Tecoma capensis does not need watering as they are extremely drought resistant. In areas that receive frost young plants and larger established plants that have newly been planted out need to protected for at least the first winter.
To keep this shrub clean and tidy and to ensure heavy flowering, it must be pruned back in late winter to promote new growth and flowers. Mulching with plenty organic compost and the application of a balanced fertilizer after pruning will enhance the growth and flowering.
Tecoma capensis is a must for every garden that has been designed to attract wildlife in particular the garden that has been designed to attract sunbirds because it provides vast amounts of nectar at the times of year when there are far less or no other suitable flowering plants for them to feed on.
Ecological value
Nature conservation starts AT YOUR OWN FRONT DOOR so anyone who is serious about nature conservation and improving the natural environment for as large a variety of creatures as possible simply has to plant a number of these highly productive plants in their own garden.
IMG_0880 - Version 2
Cape Honeysuckle - Tecomaria capensis
In my garden, growing against and above a house wall, in Tucson, Arizona, Southwestern USA. The dead branches, up high, were killed by a hard freeze a few years ago. I hope to prune them soon...
Thank you Plantaholic Sheila for reminding me of they name of this sensational plant.
I gather these are from South Africa.
ecomandurban.blogspot.com/2015/08/cape-honeysuckle-tecoma...
Growing Tecoma capensis (aka Tecomaria capensis)
Cape Honeysuckle is an easy to grown and fast growing, scrambling shrub which is evergreen but will loose its leaves if it gets too dry or if the temperatures fall below freezing. Tecoma capensis produces masses of orange to deep red flowers, there is also a yellow variety which unfortunately does not attract birds to the flowers.
Tecoma capensis will grow in just about any soil. When being planted it will grow best if a good sized hole is dug and is backfilled with a mixture of one third compost mixed with the soil that came out of the hole and a little balanced fertilizer. Please do not forget to water the plants as soon after they have been planted as possible to settle them in, thereafter they will need sufficient water to keep them moist until established. Once well established Tecoma capensis does not need watering as they are extremely drought resistant. In areas that receive frost young plants and larger established plants that have newly been planted out need to protected for at least the first winter.
To keep this shrub clean and tidy and to ensure heavy flowering, it must be pruned back in late winter to promote new growth and flowers. Mulching with plenty organic compost and the application of a balanced fertilizer after pruning will enhance the growth and flowering.
Tecoma capensis is a must for every garden that has been designed to attract wildlife in particular the garden that has been designed to attract sunbirds because it provides vast amounts of nectar at the times of year when there are far less or no other suitable flowering plants for them to feed on.
Ecological value
Nature conservation starts AT YOUR OWN FRONT DOOR so anyone who is serious about nature conservation and improving the natural environment for as large a variety of creatures as possible simply has to plant a number of these highly productive plants in their own garden.
IMG_0880 - Version 2