Phygelius capensis - Cape Fuchsia

Phygelius capensis, better known as the Cape Fuchsia, is less popular than hardy American fuchsias, but it is an excellent alternative for decorating our gardens and patios from spring to the first cold weather. Capable of withstanding our normal winters if its stump is well protected, this beautiful bushy perennial produces inflorescences loaded with long tubular and pendulous bell-shaped flowers, whose red-orange to soft coral colour is easy on the eyes. They seem to be suspended above its dark green foliage, which will persist more or less throughout the winter depending on the climate. This botanical species grows rapidly and blooms in the first year of planting. The Cape Fuchsia thrives in a moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.

Perhaps called Cape Fuchsia because of the shape of its flowers and foliage, Phygelius capensis is an herbaceous shrub with a woody base, evergreen in its native climate and considered a bushy perennial in cold climates. It belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family, not the Onagraceae family, which includes the well-known genus Fuchsia. In its native South African lands, this plant thrives as a 2m (7ft) tall shrub, not far from the torrents and watercourses that descend from the Drakensberg and Lesotho mountains, on moist but well-drained soils. Its hardiness is roughly equivalent, if not superior, to that of Fuchsia magellanica, -12/-15°C (10.4/5°F).  The stump produces underground stolons that allow the plant to spread without being invasive.

Under our climates, Cape Fuchsia forms a clump of leafy stems that rarely exceeds 1m (3ft) in all directions. In this botanical species, the flowers are positioned all around the floral stem, not just on one side. They are grouped in spikes of 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12in), at the end of floral stems tinged with reddish-brown. They bloom throughout the summer on a dense bush, almost mature in a matter of months. Each flower, in the form of a trailing trumpet, is carried by a recurved peduncle. The corolla forms a very elongated tube measuring 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3in) in length, open with 5 lobes in a lovely red-orange shade, bordered by a darker shade, from which the stamens and pistil in a dark pink colour emerge. The flower's throat is maculate with yellow. The foliage consists of simple leaves, narrowly ovate, with a cordate base and dentate margins. Their colour is a dark green. Below -7°C (19.4°F), the foliage becomes deciduous, while it persists throughout the winter in mild climates. The fruits, less than 1 cm (0.2 in) in diameter, are light brown in colour.

Gardeners in continental regions should plant the Cape Fuschia in a large pot to overwinter.  Phygelius are perennials that bring an exotic touch to wild-looking beds, as their flowers, smaller than those of penstemons, and their softer and richer hues harmonise with numerous pastel or brighter blooms. For example, associate them with angel's fishing rods (Dierama), grasses like Miscanthus and Eragrostis, Gaura, Liatris...