Tecoma ‘Cape Honeysuckle’ Gold

Description

Cape Honeysuckle Gold
Tecoma capensis ‘Aurea’
Growing Conditions
SUNLIGHT
Full sun to light shade — produces the most prolific golden-yellow blooms in at least 6 hours of direct sun daily; flowering diminishes noticeably in shadier positions
WATERING
Once established, water deeply every 7–10 days in summer; reduce to every 14–21 days in winter. Apply water at the base to a depth of 30–40 cm. Highly drought-tolerant once roots are established — avoid waterlogging at all times
SOIL TYPE
Well-drained loam, sandy loam, or rocky soil with good aeration; tolerates poor soils but performs best with light organic amendment at planting. A slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0–7.5 is ideal
TEMPERATURE
Tolerates 0°C to 40°C; withstands light frost once established, though young plants should be protected from temperatures below 2°C. Thrives in South Africa’s hot, dry summers
HUMIDITY
Tolerates low to moderate humidity; well-suited to South Africa’s drier interior climates as well as the more humid coastal regions. Does not require misting or supplemental humidity
FERTILISING
Feed with a balanced slow-release granular fertiliser (e.g. 3:1:5 or similar) once in early spring and again in midsummer to support vigorous flowering. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds which promote leafy growth at the expense of blooms
GROWTH RATE
Fast — can extend 1–2 metres per season under ideal warm conditions; benefits from a hard annual prune after the main flowering flush to maintain shape and encourage dense regrowth
MATURE SIZE
2–3 m height x 2–3 m spread as a freestanding shrub; when trained as a climber or against a wall, can reach up to 5 m
Did You Know?
Unlike the far more common orange-flowered Tecoma capensis, the golden-yellow ‘Aurea’ form is a naturally occurring colour variant indigenous to South Africa, and its nectar-rich tubular flowers are particularly favoured by the Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina) — the colour difference does not deter pollinators, as sunbirds navigate primarily by flower shape and nectar reward rather than colour alone.