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Shrubs

Phygelius capensis

Cape figwort

A vigorous semi-evergreen small shrub with triangular-ovate leaves to 8cm in length. Nodding, tubular, bright orange-red flowers 3cm in length in large open terminal panicles

Other common names

Cape fuchsia

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Scrophulariaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Phygelius are evergreen shrubs, usually grown as herbaceous perennials in cooler areas, with simple, ovate leaves and large panicles of tubular flowers in summer and autumn
Name status: Unresolved
Plant range: Temp S Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows well in most fertile soils but may require some winter protection in colder areas. Can be grown as a shrub or as a herbaceous perennial

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in spring or take softwood cuttings in late spring. Suckers may be detached and rooted in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Cut back to base in late spring or pruning group 9

Pests

May be susceptible to figwort weevil and capsid bug

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)

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