How to Plant Cape Honeysuckle in Arizona

Hummingbirds drink the nectar of the cape honeysuckle.

Cape honeysuckle, or Tecomaria capensis, is a native of Africa, grown as a shrub or vine. It is an evergreen with dark-green, medium-textured foliage, forming a sprawling shape. At maturity, it reaches some 6 feet high and 5 feet wide. Its vibrant orange-red flowers attract hummingbirds and other birds and bloom year-round in frost-free regions. Plant the cape honeysuckle in full or partial sun. If grown as a vine, it will need support, such as a trellis. In Arizona, it is a popular landscape plant for pool sites, as it produces a minimal amount of leaf litter.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel

Instructions

1. Dig a hole that is about twice the width as the plant's container and about the same depth. Choose an area with well draining soil.

2. Remove the plant from the container and set it in the center of the hole.

3. Refill the hole with the soil, maintaining the same soil line as the plant had in the container.

4. Water the plant deeply for about five minutes. Do this every other day for the first six months. After six months, when the plant is established, irrigate once a week. The plant does not require fertilizer.

Tips & Warnings

• For best results, when purchasing a cape honeysuckle for your Arizona garden, choose one grown in Arizona as it is best suited for the soil.

• Schedule your planting for the early spring or fall.

References

• Arizona Municipal Water Users Association: Low Water Shrub