Cape Honeysuckle

TECOMARIA –
Cape Honeysuckle
Botanical Family BIGNONIACEAE
Genus TECOMARIA
Species Tecomaria capensis (Syn. Tecoma capensis)
Place of Origin Africa (South & East)
Height 4.5-8m/15-26ft
Flower Colours Orange, Yellow
Flowering Season Late Summer & Autumn
Zones 10-12

Evergreen Shrub / Semi-Climber
Tecomaria capensis has previously been known botanically as Tecoma capensis. The vivid orange-red trumpet flowers of the Cape Honeysuckle emerge towards the end of summer and last into autumn. They appear in terminal clusters. It is a very adaptable evergreen plant that can be left to ramble as a shrubby climber, or pruned to form an attractive shrub, hedge or screen. The leaves are glossy green, each of which is comprised of opposite pairs of oval to round serrated leaflets.

T. capensis 'Aurea' has yellow flowers, requires warmer temperatures and is slower growing.

Cape Honeysuckle grows equally well in full sun or part shade in well drained, compost enriched soil. The shrub is moderately frost hardy, requires protection from wind and performs well in both seaside and tropical conditions. Pruning will be required when growing as a shrub or hedge. This is best done after flowering, with hedges needing an annual hard prune. If required, crowded branches can be thinned in spring. Propagation is from seed and semi hardwood cuttings taken in summer, or by layering, something that the shrub does naturally. Tecomaria is a WaterWise plant with a moderate tolerance to drought.