Cape Fuchsia Phygelius aequalis 'Trewidden Pink'

☠ Toxic to humans
🐾 Toxic to pets
🌸 Blooming
🍪 Not edible
‍🌱 Easy-care
Cape figwort 'Trewidden Pink'

ABOUT

The Phygelius aequalis 'Trewidden Pink', commonly known as Cape Fuchsia, is a strikingly beautiful plant known for its distinctive pink tubular flowers. The flowers display a paler pink throat with a modest flare at the openings, giving them an elegant look as they cascade down in clusters. These blooms are quite attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators, making the Cape Fuchsia not only a visual delight but also a contribution to the local ecosystem. The foliage of Cape Fuchsia is dark green, which provides a contrasting backdrop for the pink flowers. The leaves are typically lance-shaped and can be slightly glossy, adding to the overall lushness of the plant. Its growth habit is bushy, with stems that can sometimes appear semi-woody as the plant matures. This growth form makes it an excellent choice for borders or as part of a mixed garden bed. Throughout its blooming season, the Cape Fuchsia 'Trewidden Pink' becomes a focal point in the garden, thanks to its vibrant flowers and the lively activity of visiting wildlife. Despite the common name, Cape Fuchsia is not a true fuchsia, but its similarly shaped blossoms may have contributed to this colloquial naming. This plant is particularly valued for its long flowering period, adding color and interest to the garden for an extended time.

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Family

      Scrophulariaceae

    • Synonyms

      Cape Fuchsia, Trewidden Pink Cape Fuchsia

    • Common names

      Phygelius aequalis 'Trewidden Pink'.

  • skullToxicity

    • To humans

      The Cape Fuchsia, specifically the variety 'Trewidden Pink,' has no well-documented evidence suggesting that it is highly toxic to humans. However, it is advisable to exercise caution, as with many ornamental plants, because plant parts may cause minor irritation or an allergic reaction if ingested or handled. Symptoms of plant poisoning are generally not provided due to limited information, but as with any non-food plant, ingesting any part of the Cape Fuchsia could potentially result in gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

    • To pets

      The Cape Fuchsia, known as 'Trewidden Pink,' does not have a significant body of evidence confirming its toxicity to pets such as dogs and cats. However, caution is recommended since many ornamental plants can cause adverse reactions in pets if parts of the plant are consumed. The exact symptoms of poisoning from this specific variety are not well-documented, but ingestion might lead to mild gastrointestinal upset, including symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea in pets. Always keep a close watch on pets around plants and contact a veterinarian if any abnormal behaviors or symptoms occur after ingestion.

  • infoCharacteristics

    • Life cycle

      Perennials

    • Foliage type

      Semi-deciduous

    • Color of leaves

      Green

    • Flower color

      Pink

    • Height

      3 feet 3 inches (1m)

    • Spread

      2 feet (60cm)

    • Plant type

      Shrub

    • Hardiness zones

      7

    • Native area

      South Africa

Benefits

  • money-bagGeneral Benefits

    • Attracts Pollinators: Phygelius aequalis 'Trewidden Pink', commonly known as Cape Fuchsia, is attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects, thereby supporting biodiversity.
    • Drought Tolerance: Once established, Cape Fuchsia has a good tolerance for drought conditions, making it suitable for xeriscaping and water-wise gardens.
    • Long Blooming Season: Cape Fuchsia is known for its prolonged flowering period, providing garden color from early summer to autumn.
    • Low Maintenance: This plant requires minimal care once established and is relatively pest and disease free, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
    • Easy Propagation: Cape Fuchsia can be easily propagated by cuttings, allowing gardeners to produce more plants without buying new ones.
    • Deer Resistance: The plant is not favored by deer, making it ideal for gardens in areas where deer browsing can be a problem.
    • Versatile Landscaping: Used in borders, containers, and sloped areas, Cape Fuchsia provides versatility in garden design and landscaping.
    • Colorful Displays: With its bright pink, tubular flowers, Cape Fuchsia offers a vivid display that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of any garden space.

  • medicalMedical Properties

    This plant is not used for medical purposes.

  • windAir-purifying Qualities

    This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

  • leavesOther Uses

    • Phygelius aequalis 'Trewidden Pink', commonly known as Cape Fuchsia, can be used as a natural dye, providing a range of pink hues to fabrics and materials.
    • In gardens, Cape Fuchsia can function as a hummingbird attractant, offering a rich source of nectar to these pollinators.
    • Cape Fuchsia can be creatively included in floral arrangements and bouquets for their striking trumpet-shaped blooms and long-lasting qualities.
    • The plant's robust growth habit makes it suitable for use in controlling soil erosion on slopes or banks.
    • Cape Fuchsia's dense foliage can provide a living privacy screen when planted in a tight row or hedge form.
    • The stems of the Cape Fuchsia can be used in basketry or as a natural crafting material for creating small decorative items.
    • During the flowering season, the blooms can be collected and used for potpourri mixtures, adding color and a subtle scent.
    • Garden enthusiasts may utilize the easy-to-root nature of Cape Fuchsia to propagate new plants for plant swaps or as gifts.
    • Its vibrant flowers can be used as a natural pigment for art projects, like botanical printmaking or eco-dyeing.
    • The plant can also serve an educational purpose, being an ideal candidate for children's gardens due to its ease of care and the opportunity to observe pollinator interactions.

Interesting Facts

  • bedFeng Shui

    The Cape Fuchsia is not used in Feng Shui practice.

  • aquariusZodiac Sign Compitability

    The Cape Fuchsia is not used in astrology practice.

  • spiralPlant Symbolism

    • Resilience: Phygelius aequalis 'Trewidden Pink', commonly known as Cape Fuchsia, often symbolizes resilience due to its ability to thrive in a wide range of conditions and bounce back from environmental stress.
    • Attraction: The vibrant pink flowers of Cape Fuchsia can represent attraction and magnetism, as they draw in hummingbirds and other pollinators, as well as human admirers.
    • Vivacity: The bright and lively appearance of Cape Fuchsia's flowers is often associated with vivacity and the energetic joy of life.
    • Protection: Given its use in gardens as a border plant, Cape Fuchsia can symbolize protection and the creation of boundaries.

💧
Every 1-2 weeks
Water
☀️
2500 - 10000 Lux
Light
💦️
5%
Humidity
🪴
Every year
Repotting
🌱️
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation
✂️️
As needed
Pruning

  • water dropWater

    For the Cape Fuchsia 'Trewidden Pink', it is crucial to maintain a consistent moisture level without overwatering. Water the Cape Fuchsia deeply once every week, providing enough water to soak the root zone, which could be around 1 to 2 gallons depending on the plant size and environmental conditions. During hot or dry weather, increase watering frequency to twice a week, ensuring that the soil dries out slightly between waterings. Reduce watering in cooler seasons to prevent waterlogging. Always use a watering can or hose to apply water directly to the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the foliage to minimize the risk of fungal diseases.

  • sunLight

    Cape Fuchsia 'Trewidden Pink' thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers a location that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. If grown in too much shade, the plant may become leggy and produce fewer flowers. The ideal spot is one that enjoys morning sunlight and is protected from the intense heat of the afternoon sun.

  • thermometerTemperature

    Cape Fuchsia 'Trewidden Pink' prefers moderate temperatures and can survive in temperatures as low as 10 Fahrenheit for short periods. However, the ideal growing temperature ranges between 50 and 75 Fahrenheit. It is not frost-tolerant and should be protected or moved indoors if temperatures are expected to drop below the minimum threshold.

  • scissorsPruning

    Prune the Cape Fuchsia 'Trewidden Pink' to maintain its shape and encourage bushy growth. Light pruning can be done throughout the growing season to remove dead or damaged stems. Conduct more extensive pruning in late winter or early spring, cutting back the stems to about a foot from the ground to stimulate new growth. This also helps in removing old woody growth and promotes better air circulation.

  • broomCleaning

    As needed

  • bambooSoil

    Cape Fuchsia 'Trewidden Pink' prefers well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. A good soil mix consists of two parts garden soil, one part peat or compost, and one part perlite or coarse sand to ensure proper drainage and aeration.

  • plantRepotting

    Cape Fuchsia 'Trewidden Pink' should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its current container, using fresh potting mix that suits its soil requirements.

  • water dropsHumidity & Misting

    Cape Fuchsia 'Trewidden Pink' thrives in moderate humidity levels but is tolerant to a wide range of conditions. Average room humidity is usually adequate for this plant.

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Indoor

      Provide bright indirect light and keep soil moist for Cape Fuchsia.

    • Outdoor

      Plant in partial sun, shelter from strong winds, keep well-watered.

    • Hardiness zone

      7-10 USDA

  • circleLife cycle

    Cape fuchsia 'Trewidden Pink' begins its life as a seed, typically germinating in the spring when soil temperatures warm up. The seedlings emerge and grow into juvenile plants, establishing a root system and producing their first leaves. As they mature, they develop into robust, bushy perennials with sturdy stems and an abundance of foliage. Flowering occurs in the summer or early fall, showcasing tubular pink flowers that attract pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees. After pollination, the flowers develop into small capsules containing seeds, which, when mature, are dispersed by various means, potentially starting a new cycle. During the winter months, Cape fuchsia 'Trewidden Pink' may die back, especially in colder climates, to re-emerge from its root system the following spring.

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propogation time

      Spring-Early Summer

    • Phygelius aequalis 'Trewidden Pink', commonly known as Cape Fuchsia, is typically propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings during the summer. Cut a section of the plant's current year's growth approximately 4-6 inches (10-15 centimeters) in length, ensuring that there are a few leaves on the cutting. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone to encourage root development and then insert it into a pot filled with a mix of peat and perlite for optimal drainage and aeration. The pot should then be placed in a warm, well-lit area but out of direct sunlight to avoid scorching the cutting. Maintain consistent moisture during the rooting period, and within a few weeks, the cutting should start to develop roots, at which point it can eventually be transplanted into the garden or a larger pot.

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