How to Grow and Care for Your Cape Fuchsia Plant

Phygelius

The name "Cape Fuschia" is misleading. Other than the fact that the flower shape resembles that of a hardy Fuschia, Phygelius are completely unrelated to Fuschias. They are actually relatives of Foxgloves and Penstemons.

Cape Fuchsias are shrubby, evergreen perennials that are hardy to USDA Zone 7. In colder regions, they are grown as an annual.
Cape Fuchsias have a long blooming season from early summer until the first frost.
They are a favorite flower of hummingbirds.

Growing Requirements for Cape Fuchsia Plants

Cape Fuchsia Plants grow 3-5 feet high and wide.
They prefer full, bright sun but will tolerate periods of light shade.
They should be grown in a rich, well draining soil and watered regularly.
Remove the spent flowers promptly to ensure continuous summer blooming.
In early Spring, cut your Cape Fuchsia plant back to about half it's size to encourage new stems and a fuller plant.

Propagation of Cape Fuchsia Plants

Cape Fuschias are easily grown from seeds collected the previous year.
When the seed pods ripen, shake the seeds into a paper bag and allow them to dry completely.
Store them in a cool, dry place.
Cape Fuschia seeds can be started indoors at 70 degrees. Germination takes 10-14 days.
Seeds can also be sown directly into the garden in early Spring.
Cape Fuschias can also be propagated from (quick rooting) short stem tip cuttings taken in midsummer, or by simply removing and transplanting the offset suckers from the parent plant!

Cape Fuchsia
Phygelius 'Trewidden Pink'

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