Phygelius aequalis
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Phygelius aequalis

River bell · Wild fuchsia · Cape fuchsias

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: partial_sun
Temperature
15–35 °C
Soil pH
6–8
Hardiness
Zone 8–10
Click count
298
Observations
45

Description

Source: leafsnap

Phygelius aequalis is a species of flowering plant in the family Scrophulariaceae, native to South Africa. It is a semi-evergreen shrub growing to 1 m (3 ft) tall and wide, with 25 cm (10 in) long panicles of pink flowers with crimson lobes and yellow throats. This species may be distinguished from the closely related Phygelius capensis by the fact that the flowers grow in a single plane along one side of the stem. The narrowly tubular flowers are up to 6 cm (2 in) in length. The common names Cape fuchsia and Cape figwort attach to both P. aequalis and P. capensis, though they are not closely related to the true fuchsias, and "figwort" refers to several plants other than phygelius. Phygelius aequalis is valued as a garden plant with a particularly long flowering season throughout summer. Though a shrub, in cooler areas it grows as a perennial. It requires some winter protection. The cultivars 'Trewidden Pink' and 'Yellow Trumpet' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Care Guide

💧 Water

The yellow cape fuchsia flourishes in humid environments, where it needs consistent moisture and weekly watering. It does not tolerate drought well and is usually grown outdoors. As an evergreen plant, it requires a balanced amount of water to keep its foliage vibrant throughout the year.

☀️ Light Partial sun

Yellow cape fuchsia is native to habitats like forest understories and rocky areas that provide natural shade. It prefers partial sun but can tolerate full sun or full shade, reflecting its versatile and hardy nature.

Ideal: Partial sun
🌡️ Temperature 15–35°C

Yellow cape fuchsia is highly adaptable to a variety of climate conditions, from blistering summers to freezing winters. However, it does have an optimal temperature range for healthy growth. If temperatures get too high, the plant is susceptible to heat and humidity stress, which can lead to its death. In areas where temperatures approach the lower limit of its cold tolerance, providing insulation is important to protect the plant.

Ideal temperature: 15–35°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-8
Soil pH: 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer

The timing of fertilizing Yellow cape fuchsia is important. Start fertilizing in early spring and continue once a month until early summer. Fertilizer encourages attractive blooms and supplies energy during both dormant and active growth stages.

🪴 Pot & Repot Every 12 months
Suggested frequency: Every 12 months
✂️ Pruning

The yellow cape fuchsia is a perennial plant known for its tubular yellow flowers and semi-evergreen leaves. To encourage healthy and dense growth, as well as vibrant blooms, prune old stems and shape the plant in early spring. During the blooming season, remove dead flowers to enhance the plant's vitality and maintain a robust display of blooms.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Shrub
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Phygelius
Family
Scrophulariaceae
Hardiness Zone
8-10
Mature Height
61 cm to 91 cm
Mature Spread
61 cm to 91 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Semi-evergreen, Deciduous
Flower Color
Yellow, Pink
Flower Size
3.05 cm to 5.08 cm
Bloom Time
Summer, Fall
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Late summer, Fall, Early winter
Native Area
South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho

Tags (6)

Common Names (3)

en River bell
en Wild fuchsia
en Cape fuchsias