Tecoma Species, Cape Honeysuckle, Cape Trumpet-Flower

On Aug 30, 2021, Pawz from Burbank, CA wrote:

I had several of these planted along the backyard wall at my old house, and they were very attractive both in and out of flower. They needed little to no support as their stiff trunks and branches held them fairly upright. They covered most of the wall, just as a vine would do. I did need to prune them fairly regularly though, as they tended to grow much higher than the 6 foot wall, and would eventually arch over due to the weight. Since pruning is one of my favorite garden tasks anyway, this was certainly no problem. One should just be aware that if a branch or shoot does contact the ground, it will immediately send out roots at a point of contact and a new plant will form. If the shoot is allowed to creep along the ground, this will occur in multiple places, resulting in many new p... read morelants. This is where the invasive reputation comes from. If one frequently observes their plants (as most gardeners likely do), it will be easy to spot these runners and clip them out when they are just starting to sprout. This solves the invasiveness issue. Of course, the runner could also be allowed to develop to a certain length, and the rooted portions potted up to give to friends or planted in other locations.

In my current house, I have no free wall space to plant any of these, so I’m growing them in large pots in more of a shrub form. I currently have four colors: the common deep orange, a yellow-orange (called gold), a light yellow, and my personal favorite, a light salmon pink. Several of these are relatively new acquisitions, so they haven’t bloomed too much yet, but I’m looking forward to the combination of colors in a couple more seasons.

In short, I wouldn’t term this plant extremely low maintenance, but neither is it difficult nor time consuming. It’s mainly just a matter of pruning to keep whatever shape is desired. For me, the beauty of the plant is well worth the effort.

On May 30, 2021, 2QandLearn from Menifee, CA (Zone 9a) wrote:

I notice several other gardener's complaining that their plant is "very invasive" in "sending out runners underground & spreading everywhere" that way. . . .

HOWEVER . . . Tecomeria capensis does NOT send out runners underground . . . while it does grow long stems ABOVE ground -that, if allowed to touch the ground- will root & spread ABOVE ground, where it is easy to see & intervene in time to prevent that spread. . . .

A similar looking plant DOES produce copious runners underground & spread quickly that way, however . . . Campsis radicans . . . and THAT vine IS known for being REAL TROUBLE in the garden!!! I strongly believe that those who are complaining are unwittingly referring to Campsis radicans: [... read moreget="_dgnew">[email protected]] .

My first experience with this plant was to root cuttings of it to plant along my Dad's fence atop a hill, and they did great there, woven into the chain link fence! He had to trim it back every year to keep in from becoming too unkempt looking, was the only drawback. . . . Wonderful privacy fence that drew many Hummingbirds!!! I much prefer natural nectar sources to sugar water feeders!!! .

BTW, Daves Garden needs to update the name of this plant, again . . . .

"Derivation of Name and Historical Aspects:
- The genus Tecomaria *was* sunk into Tecoma because the leading botanists working on the family considered that the differences in the flowers between Tecomaria and Tecoma were not enough to justify keeping them apart and they should be treated as one. Hence Tecomaria capensis becameTecoma capensis. . . . However . . . recent molecular studies show that Tecomaria is in fact most closely related to Podranea and *not* Tecoma, which means that it can no longer be lumped together with Tecoma, and the genus ***Tecomaria*** is reinstated. This is a case where the DNA evidence overturns decisions made on genetic relationships that are based just on morphology (how the plants look). (John Manning, pers. comm.)" http://pza.sanbi.org/tecomaria-capensisv

On Mar 9, 2019, capecoralmamma from Cape Coral, FL wrote:

In Cape Coral, FL
Pros:
Easy to grow
Prolific flowering
Flowers often when other plants have stopped for the season
Fall, winter and spring flowers in my area
Does well in a pot or in the ground

Cons:
VERY invasive in my zone 10 garden!! It's trying to take over the yard! (pot it to keep it under control).
It gets kind of viny along the ground.
Propagates easily from cuttings, or where stems have touched the ground and start to root.

I doubt I will ever plant this again in the future.

On May 5, 2018, Rests from Bryan, TX wrote:

Great plant with great blooms. I have only 2 complaints about it. One, it is not near invasive enough here in Texas.
And two, it is not hardy here in South Central Texas. I am learning to grow it in a pot and keep it trimmed into more of a bush. But it not invasive at all here. Other than those 2 complaints, I am very positive about Cape Honeysuckle.

On Jun 29, 2016, ocean_girl from Gotha, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

I purchased this orange cape honeysuckle at a natives nursery and was told it is not invasive. This could not be more of a lie, it has completly taken over my garden and is now spreading to my entire yard. I have tryed to control it, didn't work. I am now in a battle of cutting it back as much as possible. I live in Orlando Fl, if you live in a simular climate Do Not plant this. If anyone knows how to get rid of it or kill it plaeas let me know.

On Sep 9, 2013, bluesox from Humble, TX wrote:

I put one of these in a flower bed designed to attract hummingbirds. It had beautiful flowers and was very popular with the hummingbirds. After about two weeks, the flowers, then the leaves, started to wilt.

When I first noticed the flowers wilting, I gave it a lot of water (probably way too much), which helped the leaves for about a day or two, but not the flowers. Then the leaves started to shrivel. Within a few days, every leaf was brown and dry as a bone. Once the leaves started to shrivel, the whole plant went very quickly (2 to 3 days at the most).

Any idea what went wrong? My soil has a pH of about 8.

I have since read that this plant is prone to root rot, and needs well-drained soil. I'm going to try again. Hopefully, third times ... read morethe charm.

On Jan 26, 2013, TLeaves from Ramona, CA (Zone 9b) wrote:

This plant is great in the right situations. Drought tolerant. Lush green all year with beautiful blooms for several months. Easy to propagate. Dies back a little in temps below 25. It can be easily contained if you do so early on.

I used this as a very effective screen from the neighbor. It was in a bed about 2.5' x 15' with a block wall on one side and sidewalk on the other. Trimmed it back & shaped about twice a year. Roots did not invade sidewalk or go into neighbor's yard. This is one way to keep it contained.

Rooted a small cutting on a southwestern hot dry slope and it survived successfully with very little water for 3-4 years, then irrigation was added. It grew to about 15' tall and 3-4' wide in 6-7 years. Space / containment was not an ... read moreissue in that situation. In the proper place, this can be a great plant.

On Jun 11, 2012, luvsandeigo from LA JOLLA, CA wrote:

I hate this plant and would do ANYTHING to avoid it. It is invasive, aggressive and almost impossible to kill. Spreading 15' or more into the surrounding territory. It's a nightmare. It's NOT the plant you want to use unless you have a lot of time to dig and cut to control it. TOO much work. I put this plant next to Bamboo and Horsetails .... a nightmare.

On Mar 19, 2011, ransom3 from Zephyrhills, FL wrote:

Very showy in autumn. I recommend it be planted as a free-standing shrub in the lawn so that as you mow any unwanted suckers of the Tecoma will be cut down.

On Jan 17, 2011, 4Rose from Perris, CA wrote:

We are lining our property on 2 sides with this plant as they grow to about 12 feet high. They are very hearty in the heat, but occasionly freeze back a little with a heavy frost.
It is easy to start new plants. We haven't had any trouble controling them as others seem to have had.

On Oct 17, 2008, plantladylin from (Zone 1) wrote:

Lovely blooms but this plant is very invasive! We spent weeks trying to eradicate it from our backyard. It was climbing high into the trees and traveling along the ground and taking over everything in sight! We thought we got it all but it is back and growing everywhere once again.

Southern Gardeners ... beware of this one!

On Sep 5, 2008, RichNV from Henderson, NV wrote:

Great plant for winter color here in Nevada. It starts to bloom right now in early September and continues through March. It may freeze back in winter. I have about 10 of these planted, and last winter some died back and some didn't. With an eastern exposure catching the early morning sun, they will survive the cold better, also helps if they are planted close to the house. With the eastern exposure they will also avoid the hot pm sun in summer which can burn the leaves here.

On Nov 13, 2007, aquaticnut from Henderson, NV wrote:

This is a beautiful plant and grows extremely well, however the roots are extremely invasive. Give it lots of room and don't allow any valuable deep rooting plants or trees near it. I had to remove one that was planted approximately five feet from a young but tall Ash tree because it was choking it out.
I live in Henderson, NV, and this shrub, if left unchecked, will grow 6 to 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide... however mine was not that big. I pruned it on a regular basis, and kept it at a stable 3 feet. The roots, however, were uncontrollable.

On Sep 11, 2007, srkrause from Boulder Creek, CA (Zone 9a) wrote:

It did great in a very big container, but when put in the ground has been hard to get it to bloom. A nursery person told me to not water it much because it blooms when stressed.

On Jun 26, 2007, Ellens_Garden from Aptos, CA wrote:

This dark green with bright orange flowers looks terrific around the koi fish pond. We enclosed 10 of the 1 gallon plants within a root barrier because of the invasive root system and am glad we did so. After fertilizing with fish emulsion to encourage growth, they took off! Alternating the Cape Honeysuckle with the 10 Mexican Marigolds creates a colorful and cheerful area.

On Dec 28, 2005, almcfarla from Baytown, TX (Zone 9a) wrote:

So far its doing well. Its a rampant bloomer through my Houston winters when not much else is blooming. It has a beautiful color.

On Jun 5, 2004, Bairie from Corpus Christi, TX (Zone 10a) wrote:

They are very popular in Corpus Christi, TX, and south to the border. Solid blooms right now and all summer. Blooms all year. Not invasive here. Beautiful foliage for cut flower arrangements!

On May 22, 2004, nanette0269 from Bradenton, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

I've just planted two 3-gallon plants in two different locations...one in full sun against a wood fence, and the other in part sun against the same wood fence, but surrounding by more foliage (full sun for 11a-2pm only). The one in full sun is doing significantly better. Its already grown about 8-10" tall and about the same wide, while the other has grown 2". I'm still optimistic for the second one, as its planted near some other bushes that were recently transplanted and havent been doing too well so maybe there is just more transplant shock as a result of this area's dirt (there was more milorganite in the soil there as well, so maybe it was over fertilized?)...so maybe its just the soil, but at least its holding its own. Maybe by fall, I'll have a picture of them both up on the site... read more!

Also, about 1 month after planting, seed pods were evident, which I collected. I was able to germinate half of them quite successfully.

On Oct 28, 2002, CoyoteSpirit from Citrus Heights, CA (Zone 9b) wrote:

It blooms in fall and winter for me...humming birds love it and it is drought and poor soil tollorent. Will die if frezes so it needs protection.