Strategies for cultivating cape honeysuckle vines in arid, sunny environments, as advised by horticulture specialists.

Strategies for cultivating cape honeysuckle vines in arid, sunny environments, as advised by horticulture specialists.

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Cape Honeysuckle, famously known as Tecomaria capensis, is a rapid-growing, vibrant flowering shrub hailing from southern Africa. Known for its stunning, trumpet-shaped flowers in hues of orange and yellow, it adds a splash of color to gardens and draws in hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. This hardy plant takes the cake in warm, sunny climates of USDA zones 9-11 but can also hold its own as a captivating container plant.

But don't be fooled by its floral charm—Cape Honeysuckle thrives in regions with minimal rainfall, making it a top choice in areas with low precipitation, such as southern California where it's commonly used as a hedge or screen and in wildfire-wise plantings.

If you're after a sprawling nature or a cascading groundcover, Cape Honeysuckle has got you covered. With a lanky growth habit, it can stretch out if not pruned, creating a lush, vine-like display. On the other hand, when trained onto a trellis, it becomes one of the best climbing plants in a dry, sunlit environment. Here are some insider tips from experts on crafting your very own show-stopping cape honeysuckle:

Growing Tips

This shrub might have a misleading name, as it belongs to the Bignoniaceae family, not the true honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). It's often confused with Tecoma stans, a yellow-blooming perennial shrub in the same family native to the Americas, but with distinctive habits.

For an alternative, discover Tecoma stans plants at Fast Growing Trees.

Growth Characteristics

'It's more of a shrubby vine,' says Justin Hancock, horticulturist for Costa Farms in Miami, FL. "If you don't prune it, it'll get long and lanky, especially in the Deep South."

'You'll see them as hedges and screens here in southern California,' adds Tom Foley, Director of Product Development at Everde Growers. "Some people shear them up against walls and stuff. You'll see them 2-3 feet wide and 10-15 feet tall. They shear really well."

Ready to get your hands dirty? Start growing your very own cape honeysuckle hedge with these live plants offered by Walmart.

Both Hancock and Foley highlight that cape honeysuckle is a real magnet for pollinators. "The hummingbirds love it," Foley shares. "You'll see the hummingbirds just buzzing to get to the plants." Hancock mentions that this consistently attracts pollinators in South Florida and is a popular hedge choice for hummingbird and butterfly gardens.

Justin Hancock, a horticulturist at Costa Farms, helps indoor and outdoor gardeners across the nation flourish and nurture a plethora of plants. With a passion for horticulture, he boasts gardening experience from Minnesota to Oregon to South Florida.

Tom Foley, an internationally esteemed plantsman, is dedicated to advancing the engagement in gardening. Collaborating with breeders and nursery professionals across the globe, he champions innovative introductions that uplift urban landscapes and ignite the gardening experience. With a Bachelor's in Horticultural Science from North Carolina State University under the tutelage of Dr. J.C. Raulston, Foley is now the Director of Product Development at Everde Growers in Southern California where he oversees new plant variety development.

Care Instructions

• Soil: 'Moist and well-drained soil is optimal,' states Hancock. 'But for those who don't live in optimal conditions, Tecomaria tolerates dry, gritty soils rather well.'
• Light: Hancock recommends full sun for Tecomaria. 'It tolerates part shade, but part shade will reduce bloom count and may make it more lanky.'
• Watering: Hancock explains, "Tecomaria is a very low-water plant.". "Of course, when you're first planting it, it needs water to help it establish. And once it's established, I've seen it not watered at all."
• Fertilizing: "I use a granular 20-20-20 fertilizer once a year in March, and that's it," says Foley. "It's a pretty easy plant." Check out premium granular fertilizer on Amazon.
• Toxicity: Cape Honeysuckle poses no harm to humans, cats, or dogs, and is safe for hummingbirds to consume its prized nectar.
• Pests: Hancock has spotted aphids on Tecomaria, though it may be susceptible to scale if it's a dominant pest in the area. "I imagine thrips might bother it, but I don't think there's anything too exotic that bothers it," he adds. Despite being in South Florida, Hancock mentions that occasionally iguanas pose a nuisance to cape honeysuckle in the landscape.

FAQs

Container Growing

The Cape Town series of cape honeysuckle was designed for those who prefer a more compact version. These varieties grow to be around 4-5 feet tall and 3 feet wide, making them suitable for container gardening. Don't forget to fertilize it using a granular fertilizer to ensure continued blooming. According to Foley, the Cape Town varieties display more flowers when grown in containers[1].

[1] Nick, J. (2021). Cape Honeysuckle - How To Grow Cape Town Series Cape Honeysuckle. Retrieved from https://gardenwisdom.com/learn/generate/tecoma-capensis-growing-cape-honeysuckle/#:~:text=As%20discussed%20in%20the%20section,%E2%80%9Cit%20looks%20lovely%22%E2%80%9D.

The writing below provides 2 sentences that contain the given words ['lifestyle', 'home-and-garden', 'gardening'] and follow from the given text:

• Gardening enthusiasts may find great appeal in cultivating vibrant, hummingbird-attracting Cape Honeysuckle shrubs as part of their home-and-garden lifestyle.
• Fostering a garden filled with captivating colors and buzzing pollinators can be a fulfilling lifestyle choice, enriching both personal well-being and home aesthetics, particularly through home-and-garden gardening activities like nurturing Cape Honeysuckle plants.

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