Cape figwort [Somerford Funfair Coral] Phygelius × rectus Somerford Funfair Coral = 'Yapcor' (Somerford Funfair Series)

Water

Cape Fuchsia should be watered thoroughly, allowing the soil to be moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, water the plant approximately once a week with about 1.5 gallons, depending on the climate and soil drainage. It is essential to reduce the frequency of watering in the winter months when the plant is not actively growing, providing enough water to prevent the soil from completely drying out. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure good drainage, and adjust your watering schedule based on rainfall and temperature changes.

Light

Cape Fuchsia thrives in full sun to partial shade. The best spot for the plant is where it receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, though it can tolerate some shade during the hottest parts of the day. Avoid deep shade as this can reduce flowering and can make the plant leggy.

Temperature

Cape Fuchsia prefers temperatures between 50°F and 75°F for optimal growth. The plant can withstand a minimum temperature of around 20°F, making it suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7 to 9. However, it will struggle in prolonged temperatures over 90°F, so provide some afternoon shade in hotter climates to protect it from extreme heat.

Pruning

Pruning Cape Fuchsia encourages bushier growth and more flowers. Prune the plant in early spring before new growth starts, reducing its size by about one third. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming. Severe pruning can be done every few years if the plant becomes too large or woody.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Cape Fuchsia 'Yapcor' thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 5.5 to 7.0. A mix of loam, peat, and sharp sand or perlite is ideal, offering good drainage and nutrient content. Amendments like compost can also be added to enrich the soil.

Repotting

Cape Fuchsia 'Yapcor' should be repotted every 2-3 years, or when it outgrows its current container. Choose a pot that is one size larger than the current one to allow for growth.

Humidity & Misting

Cape Fuchsia 'Yapcor' prefers moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 40-60%. Avoid placing it in excessively dry environments, which could stress the plant.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.

• Outdoor

  Plant in partial shade, shelter from strong winds.

• Hardiness zone

  7-10 USDA

Life cycle

Phygelius × rectus 'Yapcor', commonly known as Cape Fuchsia 'Somerford Funfair Coral', begins its life cycle when seeds are sown, typically indoors in early spring, and germinate within a few weeks. The seedlings are then transplanted outdoors after the last frost into well-draining soil where they receive full sun to partial shade. As they grow, they develop into bushy, upright semi-evergreen perennials, reaching maturity and flowering stage in the summer, exhibiting tubular coral-pink flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. After blooming, if seeds are not collected for propagation, they may naturally fall and potentially germinate to produce new plants. Throughout autumn, growth slows and the plant may die back slightly in colder regions, though in milder climates it can retain its foliage. Finally, with the arrival of winter, Cape Fuchsia 'Somerford Funfair Coral' becomes dormant, especially in cold climates, but will re-sprout from the root system once favorable conditions return in spring.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to early summer

• The most popular method of propagation for the Cape Fuchsia, more formally known as Phygelius × rectus Somerford Funfair Coral 'Yapcor', is through softwood cuttings. This is often done in late spring or early summer when the plant's new growth is just hardening off but still pliable. Gardeners take a cutting of about 4 to 6 inches in length (10 to 15 centimeters), ensuring there are at least a couple of nodes present. The leaves on the lower half of the cutting are removed, and the cut end is often dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root growth. The prepared cutting is then planted in a mix of peat and perlite or a well-draining potting soil and kept moist until roots have developed, which typically takes several weeks.