MBN 1Gal Tecomaria capensis 'Cape Town Pink'

CAPE HONEYSUCKLE a moderate to fast-growing scandent, scrambling shrub treated as vine, free standing subject or wall shrub, reaching to 15' or more with something to lean on or weave its branches through. Smallish pinnate leaves are very glossy, medium to dark green, purplish on new growth and held in pairs along the stems. Flowers are curved tubular trumpets to about 3" long, with flared mouths, produced terminal clusters of 20-40 and well-displayed above the foliage. This can grow into a very large "twig fountain," or even a small tree if trained, in areas with little or no frost below 28-25°F or so. In colder areas it will freeze to the ground occasionally then regrow dramatically and spectacularly the following season. This is a great color shrub cooler coastal climates where it often blooms all year, initiating on any new growth that experiences modest morning chill. Bloom is always heaviest and showiest from mid-fall through mid-spring due to more regular chill conditions plus plants producing much shorter internodes then. This is also an All-Star at attracting hummingbirds, and should be on the A-list for anyone trying to attract them. Give it as much sun as possible, average soils and drainage, modest watering or less or you'll be rewarded with rampant growth. South Africa. Bignoniaceae. USDA zone 9.

'Cape Town' series: eally compact habits, interesting new colors, slow growing, seedless! Use as container plants or low shrubs, these are just begging to be featured somewhere. A really interesting new development from Sunset Plants.