Phygelius Moonraker - Cape Fuchsia

The Phygelius x rectus 'Moonraker' is a variety of Cape Fuchsia that provides a beautiful alternative to hardy fuchsias for ornamenting our gardens and terraces. Capable of regrowing from its stump if well protected in winter, this superb bushy perennial produces clusters of flowers in the form of long tubular and pendulous bells, with a soft and luminous cream-yellow hue that complements all other blooms. They appear as if suspended above its dark green foliage, which will persist more or less throughout winter depending on the climate. This variety grows quickly and blooms throughout summer, starting from the year of planting. Cape Fuchsia thrives in a moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.

Perhaps called Cape Fuchsia due to the shape of its flowers and foliage, Phygelius is an herbaceous undershrub with woody bases, persisting in its original 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. The 'Moonraker' variety is a horticultural hybrid obtained through cross-breeding between Phygelius aequalis, with pale yellow flowers, and P. capensis 'Coccinea', hardier with carmine-red flowers. Its hardiness is roughly equivalent to that of Fuchsia magellanica (-10/-12°C). The plant produces underground stolons from its stump, allowing it to spread without becoming invasive.

 'Moonraker' stands out for its prolific flowering and the delicate pale yellow color of its long tubular flowers. They are grouped in spikes measuring 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12in), at the end of bare branches that rise above the dark green foliage. In this variety, the flowers are inserted all around the floral stem, not just on one side. They bloom throughout summer on an average-sized bush, reaching a height of 90 cm (35in) and a width of 1 m (3ft), almost fully grown within a few months. Each flower, in the shape of a trailing trumpet, is carried by a recurved peduncle. The corolla forms a very elongated tube, sometimes reaching 6 cm (2in) in length, open with 5 lobes bordered by a darker tone, from which the stamens and pistil emerge. A white throat can be seen at the center of the flower. The foliage consists of simple, narrowly ovate leaves with toothed margins, and is a dark green color.

The Phygelius 'Moonraker' will find its place in gently sunny or semi-shaded beds, for example alongside Fuchsia magellanica 'Tricolor' or 'Alba', blue or white agapanthus, and asters that will take over after its flowering. It can be interesting to place it at a higher level, above a low wall, in a rock garden or raised bed, or even in a large hanging basket, in order to observe the flowers from below. Phygelius perennials bring an exotic touch to wild-looking beds, as their smaller flowers compared to penstemons and richer hues attract numerous pollinators. 'Moonraker' will look magnificent next to a Dierama with pink or purple flowers, and a Miscanthus yaku Jima, along the edge of a short grass meadow. Phygelius also grows very well in pots.