Bountiful Gardens

The Hummingbird's Horn: Cape Fuchsia

Cape Fuchsia is loved for its tall, slender woody stems and its pendulous, tubular flowers that hang in graceful clusters. While true Fuchsias often wilt and "sulk" the moment the temperature rises, Phygelius is much tougher, thriving in the full sun and heat that would melt its namesake.

Role in the Garden

• Design Category: Thriller or Filler. Depending on the variety, it can grow in a tidy 18-inch mound or shoot up to 3 feet tall. Its architectural "spikes" of hanging bells make it a primary focal point.

• Best Placement: It is spectacular in large containers, the middle of a perennial border, or near a patio seating area where you can watch hummingbirds hover at eye-level.

• Bloom Season: Early Summer through the first frost. It is a relentless bloomer; as long as the weather stays warm, it keeps pumping out new tiers of bells.

Care & Maintenance

• The "Sun vs. Shade" Balance: Unlike shade-loving Fuchsias, Cape Fuchsia loves Full Sun. However, in extremely hot climates (over 32°C), it appreciates a little "afternoon siesta" in light shade to keep the flowers from fading.

• Deadheading for Speed: While not strictly necessary, snipping off the spent flower stalks encourages the plant to send up fresh, new spikes from the base.

• The "Sucker" Habit: In the ground, Phygelius can spread via underground runners (suckers). In a pot, this isn't an issue, but in a garden bed, it will slowly expand into a lush, multi-stemmed colony.

• Deer Resistance: Interestingly, deer tend to ignore Cape Fuchsia, likely due to the slightly bitter compounds in its leaves.

The Essential Tip for Beginners

The "Spring Cut-Back": If you live in a climate where Phygelius survives the winter (Zone 7+), it can become "twiggy" or leggy over time. To keep it looking like a fresh, lush annual, cut the entire plant back to 4 inches in early spring. It will grow back thicker, bushier, and with more flower spikes than if you had left the old wood.