Cape Fuchsia Phygelius aequalis 'Sani Pass'

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The 'Sani Pass' is an ornamental plant known for its striking flowers and shrub-like appearance. It boasts a lush foliage of shiny, dark green leaves that provide a lovely backdrop for its blossoms. These leaves are elongated and may have a slightly serrated edge, lending texture to the plant's overall form. The most captivating feature of the plant is its vibrant flowers that bloom profusely throughout summer and into fall. These flowers are shaped like slender tubes and have a gradient of colors, typically ranging from soft yellows at the base, transitioning to warm oranges, and finally deep, fiery reds at the tips – somewhat reminiscent of a flickering flame. These blossoms are densely packed in clusters that dangle gracefully at the ends of arching stems, giving the plant a cascading effect that's particularly eye-catching. The 'Sani Pass' exudes a tropical flair and is often used to add a splash of color in garden beds, borders, or as a standout container plant. Its colorful display is also known to attract hummingbirds and other pollinators, adding to the dynamic scene where it's planted.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Scrophulariaceae
- Synonyms
  Cape Fuchsia, Cape Figwort
- Common names
  Phygelius aequalis 'Sani Pass'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Cape Fuchsia is not widely recognized as a toxic plant to humans. However, as with many plants, it is generally advised that you do not ingest parts of plants that are not known to be edible, as they can cause stomach upset or an allergic reaction in some individuals. Care should be taken to prevent children from ingesting any part of the plant.
- To pets
  Cape Fuchsia is not specifically listed as toxic to pets. However, it's always prudent to prevent pets from ingesting plants that are not part of their normal diet. If a pet does eat part of a Cape Fuchsia, they may experience mild gastrointestinal upset. If you suspect your pet has ingested this plant and is showing signs of distress, it's wise to consult with a veterinarian.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Semi-deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  3 feet (0.91 meters)
- Spread
  2 feet (0.61 meters)
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  7
- Native area
  South Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts Pollinators: Cape fuchsia (Phygelius aequalis 'Sani Pass') is known to attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, which are beneficial for pollination of gardens and ecosystems.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, Cape fuchsia can survive with minimal irrigation, making it suitable for water-conservative landscapes or areas prone to drought.
- Long Blooming Period: The plant produces flowers for a prolonged period, often from late spring to early fall, providing color and interest in the garden for many months.
- Low Maintenance: Cape fuchsia requires little care beyond the occasional pruning to remove dead or damaged growth, making it an easy choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Deer Resistance: The plant is relatively resistant to deer, which makes it an excellent choice for gardens in areas where deer predation is a problem.
- Landscape Versatility: It can be used in a variety of garden settings, including borders, containers, and as a focal point due to its vivid flowers and shrubby form.
- Frost Hardy: Cape fuchsia can tolerate light frosts, which means it can be grown in regions with cooler climates without requiring winter protection.
- Soil Adaptability: It is able to grow in a range of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soil, making it adaptable to different garden conditions.
- Propagation Ease: The plant can be easily propagated from cuttings, allowing gardeners to expand their plantings without additional cost.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Phygelius aequalis 'Sani Pass', commonly known as Cape fuchsia, can be used in floral arrangements thanks to its long tubular flowers which add a unique structural element to bouquets.
- The nectar-rich blooms of Cape fuchsia serve as an excellent food source for hummingbirds, making it a valuable plant for attracting these birds in garden landscaping.
- The plant's dense growth habit can be utilized for creating informal hedges in garden borders, offering both privacy and a splash of color.
- Cape fuchsia can be used in erosion control on slopes or banks due to its spreading nature and the ability of its root system to help stabilize soil.
- The plant's resistance to deer browsing makes it a suitable choice for gardens in areas with high deer populations, aiding in maintaining a landscaped garden without excessive damage.
- Cape fuchsia's ability to thrive in coastal conditions makes it ideal for seaside gardens, where it can contribute color and withstand salt spray.
- The plant can be used as a natural dye source; the flowers and leaves may yield color for fabrics or art projects, although this use is not common.
- Its vigorous growth under the right conditions allows for it to be a fast-cover option in themed gardens, like cottage or wildlife gardens, where rapid establishment is desired.
- Cape fuchsia can be incorporated into sensory gardens for its distinctive texture and vibrant flowers that provide visual and tactile interest.
- Its long flowering season makes it a good option for planting in educational gardens to illustrate pollination, as it often attracts a variety of pollinators.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Cape Fuchsia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Cape Fuchsia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Cape Fuchsia (Phygelius aequalis 'Sani Pass')

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

50%

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Cape Fuchsia should be watered regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, as it prefers a well-drained growing medium. During the growing season in spring and summer, watering may be required once or twice a week, depending on the climate and soil conditions. Typically, one to two gallons per week for an established plant should be sufficient, but always adjust based on weather, with less water needed during cooler or rainy periods and more during hot, dry spells. Ensure water reaches the root zone and avoid overhead watering to prevent foliar diseases.
Light
Cape Fuchsia thrives best in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot for this plant would provide bright, direct sunlight for at least six hours a day, which encourages profuse blooming. However, in hotter climates, some afternoon shade is beneficial to prevent overheating and sunscald.
Temperature
Cape Fuchsia is hardy and can tolerate a range of temperature conditions, growing best in temperatures between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but frost can damage the plant. Ideally, provide a location where it's protected from extreme cold or excessive heat.
Pruning
Cape Fuchsia benefits from pruning to stimulate bushier growth and more abundant flowers. Trim back after the first flush of blooms fades, usually mid-summer, to encourage a second bloom period. Remove any dead or damaged stems in late winter or early spring to maintain plant health and shape. Deadheading spent flowers also promotes continued blooming throughout the season.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Cape fuchsia thrives in well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. The ideal soil pH for this plant is between 6.0 and 7.5. A mix of two parts garden soil, one part compost or peat, and one part perlite or coarse sand would create ideal conditions.
Repotting
Cape fuchsia should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it becomes root-bound. Spring is the best time to repot, to allow the plant to recover and grow during the active season.
Humidity & Misting
Cape fuchsia prefers moderate humidity levels. They can thrive in average room humidity but will appreciate a boost in humidity if the air is too dry, especially indoors.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place cape fuchsia near a sunny window with bright, indirect light.
- Outdoor
  Plant in partial sun to light shade, sheltered from strong winds.
- Hardiness zone
  7-10 USDA
Life cycle
The life cycle of Phygelius aequalis 'Sani Pass', commonly known as Cape Fuchsia, begins with seed germination, which requires a well-drained medium and warm temperatures. After germination, the seedlings grow to form a rosette of leaves and soon develop a strong root system. As the plant matures, it develops upright, woody stems and lance-shaped leaves, reaching its full size within a few growing seasons. Cape Fuchsia then produces tubular flowers, usually in shades of red, pink, or orange, which bloom from early summer to autumn and attract hummingbirds and pollinators. After flowering, the plant will set seed, completing its reproductive cycle, but as a perennial, Cape Fuchsia will continue to grow and bloom each year. In colder climates or after a few years when the plant becomes woody, it may require pruning to encourage new growth and maintain a healthy shape.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Cape Fuchsia, scientifically known as Phygelius aequalis 'Sani Pass', is commonly propagated by semi-ripe stem cuttings during the late summer months. To do so, select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a 4 to 6 inch (about 10 to 15 centimeters) length just below a leaf node. Strip the lower leaves and dip the cutting end into rooting hormone to encourage root development. Plant the cutting in a mix of peat and perlite or sand, ensuring the bottom few nodes where the leaves were removed are buried. Place the pot in a warm area with indirect sunlight and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Roots typically develop in a few weeks, after which the cuttings can be gradually acclimatized to outdoor conditions before transplanting.