Cape Honeysuckle – Soft Orange

Tecomaria capensis ‘Soft Orange’ (Cape Honeysuckle)

A graceful, sun-loving evergreen shrub that fills the garden with delicate light orange trumpet blooms. This variety maintains the charm of Cape Honeysuckle but with a softer, more pastel flower tone—ideal where you want warmth without bold intensity.

🌸 Flowering

Blooms profusely from spring through autumn, and in mild climates may continue flowering year-round. The soft orange tubular flowers form in clusters, creating a gentle wash of colour across the shrub.

🌿 Growth Habit

A vigorous, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub or scrambling form, typically reaching about 1.5 to 2.5 m in height (and similar spread) when not constrained. It can be trained as a hedge, allowed to sprawl, or pruned into shape.

🌞 Light / Exposure

Prefers full sun to light shade for best flowering. In strong shade, flowering may be reduced.

🏡 Soil & Position

Thrives in well-drained, fertile soil. Tolerates a range of soils, including sandy and moderately poor soils, provided drainage is good.

💧 Watering

Requires moderate water. Water regularly while establishing; once mature, it becomes more drought tolerant, but will perform best with supplemental moisture during dry spells.

✂️ Pruning / Maintenance

Light pruning after flowering helps maintain compact shape, encourage new shoots, and remove spent wood. In winter or early spring, a harder cutback may be done to rejuvenate older plants.

🌱 Feeding / Care Tips

Feed in spring and mid-summer using a balanced fertilizer or compost. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

🌼 Landscape Uses / Features

• Excellent as a softly colored border shrub or informal hedge

• Works well climbing over trellis, wall, or pergola (if supported)

• Attracts nectar-feeding birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects

• Complements stronger-coloured shrubs and bold foliage plants

⚠️ Notes / Warnings

• Can become sprawling or leggy if not pruned regularly

• Sensitive to frost—protect young plants during cold snaps

• In very hot, dry periods, extra watering will assist continued flowering