Cape Honeysuckle

On Jul 8, 2016, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote:

This can grow to 20-30' tall in some climates (Southern California). It spreads aggressively by suckering, and also roots where stem tips touch the ground.

As an alternative, there is a similar looking hybrid shrub, Tecoma x smithii, with similar ornamental qualities and year-round orange flowers, but without the aggressive suckering. It's a hybrid of this species with the Mexican Tecoma stans var. velutina. A big wide shrub with round flower clusters at the ends of long lanky floppy branches, which make it hard to grow as a standard---but it can be espaliered.

On Nov 5, 2013, SouthAfricaFan from Johannesburg,
South Africa wrote:

This is a very versatile plant. The yellow variety is neater, it forms more of a shrub and also flowers profusely. It admittedly gets less attention from sunbirds and the like than the red and orange varieties but the display compensates for that especially if combined with a similar growing shrub with purple flowers.

The orange variety (which is the wild form) is a vigorous grower which tends to scramble on open ground, if planted under trees it scrambles to the top to get the sun it so deperately needs.

For a real treat, plant a Red or Yellow tecomaria with multiple basal stems and train it into a shrub.
Prune lightly between flowerings and feed with a balanced fertilizer and the reward will be well worth it.

It can become untidy if ... read morethe wild form is planted but cultivars are generally not. Remember it flowers best in full sun.

Lastly shrubs and plants from South Africa and Africa in general are kept in check by veld fires and the browsing of wild animals. It is essential to emulate this with a good maintenance program.

The plants full genetic potential can be realised by planting it in the correct spot and provifding it with a balanced fertilser.

In closing all I have left to say is enjoy the plants from our beautiful country.

On May 1, 2013, RosinaBloom from Waihi,
New Zealand (Zone 1) wrote:

The Cape Honeysuckle conjures up childhood memories for me...my grandparents had grown a wind shelter hedge of it, and I always associate it with nana.

On Aug 13, 2012, Bakersfield from Bakersfield, CA wrote:

This versative, flowering plant grows as a lush 18" groundcover in the south-west side of my property (blistering-hot desert sun) and it grows as 7' tall hedge in the well-shaded north side. Despite it's dainty looks, the Cape Honeysuckle thrives here in the central California valley area (zones 8-9), despite some light die-back during particularly cold weather. Best of all, it's been totally pest-free. In fact, the bright orange blooms, which give you a non-stop show for months on end, hold no attraction whatsoever to my neighbors' voracious snails.

On Jul 2, 2011, faithiep from Oldsmar, FL (Zone 10b) wrote:

Love love love this plant in clearwater fl. True, it is a little wild and will require pruning and watching. But if you're going for the tropical look, all your plants are pretty much like that. Made it through our Feb frosts fine. OK with minimal water, takes punishing sun. Nice in those parts of my yard that don't get much love and are away from the house. I think it should probably be the main specimen in a planting, not a supporting cast member.

On Jan 22, 2011, dvangogh from Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b) wrote:

We purchased a house with Tecomaria capensis lining a fence bordering our property in 2010. It makes a great privacy screen, though during the winter most of the plants (we have about 12 individual speciments) lost their leaves, leaving our house visible to the street (which wasn't so bad). Some of the plants kept their leaves - I'm not sure if it was because of the lack of water (I watered all of the plants very infrequently over the summer) or the cold (it never got below 35F). I suspect it was the watering, since several other plants in the area have kept their leaves, and the ones on our property that kept our leaves were near a patio covered in flagstone.

One negative is that it can be invasive, but so far it hasn't been a problem.

The flowers are ... read morebeautiful and attract hummingbirds. I love this plant.

On Aug 12, 2009, terrora wrote:

Greetings,
I now have two of these and both in pots (big ones!), with trellis to train them to. Although I may shape them into small trees. It gets up to 110 here and they have done well, the first one did well during our mild winter frost. They are a lovely addition to my collection of hummingbirds plants....they both have excellent drainage, but I have them on large saucers with lots of rounded stones to keep it from sitting in water. I have over 150 potted plants of all varieties, most can handle being in one spot. I do have to switch several to better spots according to the season. The Cape Honeysuckles remain in their spots and doing fine. This is how I deal with plants that tend to be invasive. In time I will redress them with fresh soil and trim their roots. So y... read moreou may consider doing the same....they are worth the flowers and "hummers" love them.

On Oct 8, 2008, agentdonny007 from Las Vegas, NV (Zone 8b) wrote:

This plant grows well in Las Vegas! Provides good color for desert landscape. May need protection from frost. Usually will grow back from roots if damaged by cold. Would recommend:)

On Apr 1, 2008, GoLonnyCA from Rancho Mirage, CA wrote:

I love this plant but have no luck with it. I can't tell if I'm over or under watering it - if I need a different fertilizer...please see my plants photo under "GoLonnyCA"...HELP!

On Oct 15, 2007, SoCal78 from San Diego, CA wrote:

One beautiful plant that help creates an exotic landscape, when mixed with various drought tolerant species. A good portion of San Diego is decorated with these. Grows extremely fast and needs pruning to gain spread control. Will spread like wild fire If not.

On Jul 20, 2007, griffhoel from Gibsonton, FL wrote:

You will need an entire yard for this plant in Gibsonton, FL!
I let it just grow for about a year without pruning and it had claimed it's own large area of the backyard. It sends out runners underground that will pop up with more sections of the plant far away from the main plant. The flowers are beautiful though and they were attracting alot of different butterflies. I painstakingly removed mine and hope I got it all.
In my opinion, it would require too much management to keep under control in my area.

On Mar 28, 2006, JaxFlaGardener from Jacksonville, FL (Zone 8b) wrote:

This plant roots freely at any point where the cascading limbs touch the soil, but I would not call it "invasive." The new plants can be easily dug up and transplanted (or traded in plant swaps!)

It is a mistake, I think, to believe that this plant (Tecomaria sp.) is truly a honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.). It has the common name of Cape Honeysuckle only because the flowers somewhat resemble a honeysuckle blossom, but the Cape Honesuckle is more of a hard stemmed, non-twining shrub. It can be pruned to a tree-like shape as it matures.

In my Zone 8b/9a garden, it has survived winter temperatures as low as 28 F on a few nights with no freeze damage. It begins blooming around November and continues flowering through about March. I have it interplanted with Winter... read more Cassia (Senna bicapsularis) because the Winter Cassia blooms about the same time as the Cape Honeysuckle and I enjoy the interplay of cadmium orange flowers of the Cape Honeysuckle with the cadmium yellow of the Cassia.

Jeremy

On Sep 7, 2004, jkom51 from Oakland, CA (Zone 9b) wrote:

Although the foliage is very beautiful and useful in flower arrangements, note that the flowers themselves do not seem to do well in floral arrangements. Once cut, the flowers fall off the spikes very quickly (within a few days). This is a very aggressive, fast growing plant in warmer areas.

On Jun 4, 2004, jjergins from Abilene, TX (Zone 7a) wrote:

This grows in Zone 7b, in West Texas heat and blooms in mid summer to late autumn. It dies back each year and reemerges in late spring. It is not invasive here.

On Oct 21, 2003, GBusard wrote:

This plant is a lovely addition to a hedge line between neighbors on Longboat Key, Florida. It does get a bit woody as it ages, and needs to be pruned semi-annually so that it does not overtake the area.

Beautiful blooms arrive in summer and continue throughout the fall. It makes a lovely carpet as the blooms fall to the ground.

On Aug 29, 2002, smiln32 from Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) wrote:

This honeysuckle is an evergreen and grows moderately fast. It prefers well-drained soil. Prune after flowering is done.