Phygelius (Cape Fuchsia)

Native to South Africa, Cape Fuchsias (Phygelius) are invaluable additions to beds and borders with their abundant, showy flowers in eye-catching colors that bloom for months in summer and fall. Arranged in clusters at the top of sturdy stems rising above the bushy foliage, the funnel-shaped blossoms are highly attractive to hummingbirds! The shiny and generally dark green 4-inch-long lance-shaped leaves give the plants a handsome appearance before and after flowering.

• Mostly pest or disease-free, Cape Fuchsia plants are evergreen in warm winter climates (USDA Zones 8-9) but they often do not survive in colder winter climates (USDA Zones 6-7). Selecting a protected area and using winter mulch might help in mild Zone 6 winters.
• Performing best in full sun (some shade is tolerated), and in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils, Cape Fuchsia are perennials that grow 3-5 feet tall and wide in cooler climates and even grow larger in warmer areas.
• There are many available hybrid cultivars in warm-toned colors to enjoy. Most of them result from crosses between Phygelius Capensis and Phygelius Aequalis. ‘Devil’s Tears‘, features dark red buds that open to red flowers with creamy yellow throats; ‘African Queen‘ enjoys lovely deep salmon blossoms, while ‘Salmon Leap‘ is a paler apricot; ‘Winchester Fanfare‘ glows in a mix of pink, red, and orange shades. Luminous, ‘Moonraker’ and ‘Yellow Trumpet‘ display light yellow flowers that contrast beautifully against their dark green foliage; ‘Sunburst‘ has chartreuse leaves and pink flowers. ‘Pink Elf‘, a 2 ft. variety with creamy coral-pink blooms, is perfect for small spaces and containers.
• Cape Fuschias are great candidates for beds, borders, containers, banks and slopes.
• Deadhead spent flowers to promote new blooms. Cape Fuchsias are suckering plants that will spread if not contained. Remove these running suckers from the plant to keep it from dominating.