Cape Honeysuckle
Tecomaria capensis · Bignoniaceae
📷 Dinkum · CC0
The gardener's calendar
Cape honeysuckle is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Common name
- Cape Honeysuckle
- Family
- Bignoniaceae
- Form
- Twining climber
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- Summer to autumn (bright orange)
- Mature size
- 3 to 4 m in height
- Hardiness
- From 0 °C onwards (warm temperate climate)
- Origin
- South Africa
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Cape Bignonia flowers abundantly on one-year-old wood. Water generously from May to September, then reduce. Prune after flowering to densify. Very vigorous growth.
The common mistake
People let it grow without guidance or never prune it. It becomes an uncontrollable tangle that flowers very little in the center, with old wood too dense.
The pro's trick
Each month during the growing season (June-August), pinch back young shoots at 3-4 leaves. This creates small branches that produce spectacular red-orange flowers.
Seasonal watch
Powdery mildew (oïdium) appears in late September in humid Mediterranean climates. Ensure good air circulation in the center, reduce evening watering. Preventative sulfur treatment in August is sufficient.
Care
Exposure and climate
Install your Cape Honeysuckle in full sun for generous flowering. It appreciates warm, sheltered locations away from cold winds. In cold regions, grow it in a pot so you can bring it indoors during winter.
Watering
Water regularly during the growing and flowering period, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in winter and during dry periods. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot.
Substrate and soil
Plant in well-draining, fertile soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. A mixture enriched with organic matter promotes good growth. Prepare generous planting holes to allow the plant to establish quickly.
Pruning and training
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. Tie young shoots to a support or trellis to guide growth. Remove weak or damaged stems.
Fertilising
Apply a balanced or potassium-rich fertiliser once or twice a month during the growing season. Reduce applications in winter. Good nutrition promotes abundant flowering and intense colours.
Pests and diseases
Watch for spider mites and aphids, especially in hot, dry weather. Excessive moisture or poor drainage can cause rot. Good air circulation and measured watering prevent most problems.
Did you know?
Cape Honeysuckle is renowned for its spectacular tubular orange flowers that attract hummingbirds in its natural habitat. It was long prized by Victorian gardeners as a greenhouse plant and remains a star of contemporary Mediterranean and subtropical gardens.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.