phygelius

( fye - jeel - EE - us )

At-A-Glance Information

Phygelius, commonly called Cape Figwort or Cape Fuchsia, includes flowering perennials that need full sun to light shade and regular water to perform well in the garden. These plants are native to South Africa and their flowers will attract hummingbirds and other pollinators to the garden. Summertime blooms droop off of stem tips in small clusters and are tubular. Individual plants reach up to 3 to 4 feet tall and about as wide, spreading via underground stems and branches that take root where they touch the ground to form small colonies. Above-ground plant parts will die to the ground in frosty conditions, but plants will typically regrow from roots in springtime. Use Phygelius in mixed perennial borders and beds, as erosion control on embankments and sloped areas of the landscape, or as floriferous members of wildlife, pollinator, or container gardens.

Phygelius Species and Varietals

Phygelius is a member of the plant family Scrophulariaceae and includes just two species. Although they are commonly called Cape Figwort or Cape Fuchsia, they are not related to either Figworts (Scrophularia) or Fuchsias. They are more closely related to Digitalis (Foxglove), Antirrhinum (Snapdragon), Penstemon (Beardtongue), and Verbascum (Mullein). Species typically grow best in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 or Sunset growing zones 4-9, 14-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Phygelius aequalis (Cape Figwort, Cape Fuchsia, Phygelius, Wild Fuchsia, River Bell)
These plants are native to South Africa, and form semi-evergreen shrubs that reach about three feet tall and just as wide. This species has pyramidal-shaped 10-inch long clusters of dusty rose to crimson flowers with yellow throats, though varieties have differently-colored blooms. These plants can spread aggressively in ideal growing conditions and are considered somewhat invasive. Popular garden ornamental cultivars are outlined below:
'Crocorpri'
Rich mauve to deep purple flowers.
'Sani Pass'
With purple-pink flowers with cream-yellow interiors.
'Trewidden Pink'
Dusty pink blossoms with yellow throats.
'Yellow Trumpet'
Pale yellow flowers.

Phygelius capensis (Cape Figwort, Cape Fuchsia)
Native to South Africa and Lesotho, these plants have an open, sprawling habit with loose clusters of orange-reddish flowers. These semi-evergreen shrubs reach about 47 inches tall and 59 inches wide, producing orange-pink tubular flowers on spikes. Flowers often point back towards the stems of plants. Blooming season is long; up to 6 months in mild climates (from May through November in its native range). This species is considered invasive in New Zealand and the Pacific Northwest and California in the United States.
Phygelius x rectus (Hybrid Cape Fuchsia, Cape Fuchsia, Cape Figwort)
This group of hybrid Cape Fuchsias includes many different colored flowers, and is the result of crossing Phygelius aequalis and Phygelius capensis. Most are created and bred in the UK. Varieties are listed below.
'African Queen'
Orange flowers have a yellow throat.
'Cherry Ripe'
With cherry red pendulous flowers.
'Devil's Tears'
Scarlet blooms with yellow throats.
'Lemon Spritzer'
With variegated foliage and coral flowers.
'Moonraker'
Pale yellow flowers.
'Peach Trombone'
With soft pale yellow to orange bells.
'Pink Elf'
A more compact plant, growing to 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide, with pink flowers.
'Salmon Leap'
Salmon-colored flowers with a yellow throat.
​'Sunshine'
With gold-yellow foliage and brick red bells.
'Winchester Fanfare'
Yellow-throated, salmon-colored blooms.

Caring for Phygelius

Plant Phygelius, or Cape Fuchsia, in a space in the garden that gets full sun. Ideally, these plants appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day, and have a tendency to get leggy if grown in too much shade. In warm climates, give Cape Fuchsia some afternoon shade during the warmest hours of the day (typically between 2 and 3 PM in most areas). Ensure that soil is well-draining and moderately fertile with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Water newly planted Cape Fuchsia regularly to help it develop a strong root system. At maturity, they like to be irrigated regularly; as a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Mulch around the base of plants to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain consistent soil temperatures.
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Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Prune off faded flower spikes to neaten up appearance, and remove any dead, damaged or diseased foliage. In cool-winter areas, these plants may not survive winter temperatures, and are better grown in pots that are moved indoors during the colder months of the year. They can  be treated as annuals, pulled at the end of the growing season and replaced in the next. In mild-weather areas, Cape Fuchsia can still die back in the winter but will regrow the following spring. Phygelius plants are semi-evergreen woody perennials that have an average lifespan of 10 to 20 years in the landscape.

Caring for Phygelius in Containers
Phygelius flowers are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers, which allows for gardeners in cooler climates to cultivate them as perennials. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Phygelius plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

Phygelius plants can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Cape Fuchsia, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Phygelius by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
  2. In fall before the first frost of your area, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Avoid taking cuttings from stems that are woody. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.

Propagating Phygelius by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed pods are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
  3. About 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost of your area, water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes about two weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Problems and Pests

Certain Cape Fuchsia species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. ​Cape Fuchsia plants can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:
  • Aphids
  • Whiteflies
  • Powdery Mildew
For more information on these pests and diseases, including how to treat and prevent them, consult the following pages:
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Gallery

Cape Fuchsia plants produce bright flowers that are favorites of hummingbirds and butterflies.
This container arrangement features grassy Bulrush, Calibrachoa, Geranium, and Cape Fuchsia.
Many gardeners choose to add Cape Fuchsia to mixed pollinator beds.
Orange-flowered Cape Fuchsia contrasts with purple-flowering Lavender.
Cape Fuchsia plants produce delicate flowering stems that are held like wands above foliage.
This mixed bed features Cape Fuchsia, Heuchera, Geranium, and Fuchsia.

Videos

Check out how this gardener uses Phygelia in their garden.
How to propagate Cape Fuchsia using softwood cuttings.

Resources

Cape Fuchsias - Perennials with a Punch
Phygelius (Cape Fuchsia)
Phygelius - Growing Guide
Cape Fuchsia Propagation: Tips on Growing Cape Fuchsia Plants
Wikipedia: Phygelius
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 502 - 503, Phygelius