Don't hate me for my Cape Honeysuckles' blooming in Winter!1

[UTUSN]

It's a common, low maintenance plant. This pic is taken head-on, with three more plants just like it behind it as a windbreaker hedge. I have NO idea how they got to be 15+ feet high, since after the initial tilling and planting they got practically NO attention. I wish the ones on the other three sides of the yard were this good. They're not, most of them are on the thin and scraggly side. They attract bees and hummingbirds.

[Midlodemocrat]

1. Very, very pretty. I'm looking to plant some things that attract

hummingbirds this spring. I love to watch them.

[UTUSN]

2. I've "discovered" that a deep watering results in this heavy blooming the following week - DUH

and not more frequent a deep watering than every couple of months. The hummingbirds are amazing. They are so at home that after they feed they perch and preen, recharging their cardio systems.

As for the (honey?)bees, all the DU threads about the bees dying out were unsettling me. The ones around here seem to be fine and numerous. I can do anything---water, trim---with them buzzing around me as they feed, without any problem. I have NO idea why they're tame and not Killer Bees (not that I WANT them to be), but in my area there are fairly frequent attacks on people and dogs by Killer Bees.

[Midlodemocrat]

3. How long did it take the plants to reach that size?

I need some screening of sorts for our patio.

[UTUSN]

4. About 3 or so years. There's a saying:

The first year, plants (I don't want to use the word "bushes") REST. The 2nd year, they STRETCH. The 3rd year, they ZOOM!1

[Midlodemocrat]

5. Wow! That's quick. I'm gonna see if I can get some from my

local nursery. Do they come in a variety of colors?

[UTUSN]

6. This orange, and I've seen some yellow blooms.

These are Cape Honeysuckles. Sometimes my typing gets away from me and I type "huckleberries." But then, I also (purposely) call HUCKABEE "huckleberry."

They are native to Cape (________) of South Africa. Sometimes, I guess when they are really feeling their oats, ahem, the blooms are deep dark RED before turning to the standard orange. Good luck.

[UTUSN]

7. This link doesn't say anything about yellow

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http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Bignoniaceae/Tecomaria_capensis.html

Cape Honeysuckle
Scientific Name: Tecomaria capensis (Thunb.) Spach
Synonym: Bignonia capensis, Tecoma capensis
Family: Bignoniaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
sunset: 11-13, 16, 18-28
USDA: 9b-10



Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 26° F, can sustain minor damage if unprotected, however recovery is generally rapid

Heat Tolerance: Excellent

Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade

Origin: South Africa, Mozambique

Growth Habits: Evergreen shrub, can be pruned to a 6 to 8 feet upright shrub (1.8-2.4 m) or more, occasionally rampant if left unpruned; shiny green, odd-pinnate leaves, up to 6 inches long (15 cm), 2 inches wide (5 cm), with 7 or 9 leaflets, up to 1 inch long (2.5 cm)

Watering Needs: Little water once established, give a good soaking every month in summer

Propagation: Seeds, softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings any time.

Cultural Practices:
Reacts favorably to pruning in early summer. Can be cut to ground every few years to keep it from becoming woody and leggy. It is fairly salt resistant and can be used for seaside plantings.

Blooming Habits:
The Cape Honeysuckle has spectacular bright orange flowers. It blooms all year, however the flowers are more abundant in autumn or spring. They attract hummingbirds.

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