Tecomaria capensis Orange

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Description

  • Cape honeysuckle is an evergreen shrub that grows to 2–3 m in height and a similar width. Normally evergreen, it may lose its leaves in colder climates.
  • In certain habitats it may scramble, meaning that it shoots out long growth tips which lean on the stems and branches of other plants, as well as boulders, trellises, fences and walls.
  • It can be planted in semi-shade to full sun.
  • In cold areas young plants should be protected from frost. To keep this shrub clean and tidy, it must be pruned back in late winter to promote new growth and flowers.
  • The application of a balanced fertilizer after pruning will enhance the growth and flowering. Feed with Wonder 3.1.5 or Multifeed flowergro.
  • This species attracts and is pollinated by nectar-feeding birds, especially sunbirds. The flowers are also visited by honeybees and butterflies. Seeds have 2 membranous wings and are dispersed by wind.
  • This attractive garden plant is a popular garden shrub and is often planted specifically to attract birds and butterflies to the garden. It is also commonly planted as a hedge, both formal (clipped) and informal. Farmers also plant it, or encourage its growth, along fences as additional grazing for stock.
  • The bark is used in traditional medicine to relieve pain and sleeplessness, to bring down fevers, to treat chest ailments such as bronchitis, to treat stomach pains, diarrhoea and dysentery and to encourage the flow of milk in nursing mothers. Leaves are also used to treat diarrhoea and gastro-enteritis. Dried and powdered bark is rubbed around the teeth to treat bleeding gums.
  • Tecomaria capensis is widely cultivated and very easy to propagate from cuttings or by removing rooted suckers or runners during the active growth phase.
  • In areas prone to frost young plants should be protected. It is remarkably tolerant of periods of drought, and is well suited to water-wise gardens.
  • Cape honeysuckle can be planted in semi-shade to full sun. It withstands clipping and can be trained into a neat hedge, or allowed to bush out into a more informal hedge. To keep this shrub clean and tidy, it must be pruned back in late winter to promote new growth and flowers.
  • Plants can be pruned back heavily if required, and will resprout. The application of a balanced fertilizer after pruning will enhance the growth and flowering.