Tecoma capensis Tropical Twist - Cape honeysuckle

Tecoma capensis  'Tropical Twist' is a beautiful cultivar of Cape Honeysuckle. Also known as Cape Trumpet Vine, it is recognisable by its trumpet-shaped flowers. It is a trailing bush, unable to attach itself to a support. 'Tropical Twist' offers large, vibrant, yellow and orange tubular flowers from May to October, which are loved by pollinators. The light green foliage is also noteworthy, with opposite, pinnate, shiny leaflets. This South African plant loves sun and heat and tolerates summer drought once well-established in deep, frost-free soil. It also makes a beautiful addition to a terrace or balcony but should be protected from frost during winter.

Tecoma capensis belongs to the Bignoniaceae family. It is native to the Eastern Cape province in South Africa and southern Mozambique. It thrives in mild climates: as an adult, it can withstand brief frosts of around -7 /-8°C in well-drained soil, regrowing from the crown in spring if properly protected. Its growth is quite rapid and its habit is upright and trailing. In ideal conditions, it can reach an average height of 5m in the ground in very mild climates. If it dies back every year due to frost, it will rarely exceed 2.50m high. In a container, it reaches about 1.50m high and 1m in spread. The stems of Tecoma capensis are punctuated with lenticels, small round and light marks that distinguish them from the exfoliating bark of trumpet vines. They bear foliage that is evergreen if there is no winter frost. The leaves are arranged oppositely on the branches. Each leaf is divided into 5 to 9 oblong to oval, irregularly toothed leaflets, with an intense and glossy green colour. Flowering begins in late summer, around late August or early September, and continues into autumn if the weather permits. The flowers are long, narrow tubes, slightly curved and upright, measuring 6 to 8 cm in length, slightly flaring at the end. The flower is adorned with beautiful protruding stamens and a long style. They are a beautiful bright orange. This flowering attracts many pollinating insects. It is followed by elongated pods measuring up to 25 cm long, which contain numerous winged seeds.

Tecoma 'Tropical Twist', obtained in the Netherlands in 2016, is more sensitive to cold than the botanical species, as it is known to lose its foliage below 10°C and tolerate temperatures as low as +2°C without damage. It can be overwintered as an indoor plant or simply in a frost-free room with moderate watering. It stands out with its earlier and longer flowering period compared to the species, as well as its bright yellow flowers with a soft orange on the outside.

Cape Honeysuckle 'Tropical Twist' blooms for a long time in a hedge, shrub border, or container with a climbing support. In the garden or on the terrace, it complements the blue flowers of Cape Leadwort or Ceratostigma willmottianum, whose foliage turns red in autumn. In very mild climates, it can be planted as a hedge and pruned annually after flowering. In very dry summer climates, occasional deep watering will be appreciated.