The Cape Honeysuckle Variety That's Perfect For Containers

When you think of growing honeysuckle, manageable isn't usually the first word that comes to mind. That's the benefit of cape honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis), which isn't actually a honeysuckle at all. Hailing from tropical South Africa, this vining member of the Bignoniaceae family is an evergreen perennial known for its drought tolerance, bright pollinator-friendly blooms, and vigorous growth habit. While some varieties can become unruly without proper care, the 'Cape Town' series retains its shape with a more dense, bushy growth pattern. Its compact nature makes it an ideal patio plant, allowing you to enjoy this flowering shrub while reaping all the benefits of growing a container garden. 

A hybrid cultivar developed by cape honeysuckle breeders, 'Cape Town' erupts throughout the summer with trumpet-like flowers in vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow; in areas that don't experience frost, blooms may even continue as fall turns to winter. These extended blooming periods make cape honeysuckle a favorite of hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Unlike other varieties, which can grow beyond 10 feet tall, 'Cape Town' cultivars only reach a height of about 4 to 5 feet, making them a much more sustainable option for small spaces. And while these cultivars require much of the same care as other cape honeysuckle varieties, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind to ensure your plant thrives in its container environment. 

The amount of maintenance your 'Cape Town' cultivar needs depends mostly on your location. Although it's best in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11, cape honeysuckle can be grown just about anywhere as an annual flowering shrub. Keeping your 'Cape Town' cultivar in a container makes it easy to move the plant to a sheltered location during cooler weather. If you live in an area with harsh winters, you can use Martha Stewart's tips for overwintering your potted plants to keep it happy until temperatures rise. 

The 'Cape Town' variety thrives in full sun with well-drained soil, so take care not to overwater this tropical plant. Unlike other varieties, the 'Cape Town' cultivar's naturally controlled, shrub-like nature makes it easy to prune. This plant is best pruned during its dormant season or after most of the blooms have faded, before any flowering on new growth. 

Cape honeysuckle can spread ambitiously without proper care, and it was noted as a high risk plant in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences' 2007 Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. But there's a difference between an invasive plant and an aggressive grower, and cape honeysuckle is not listed as an invasive species in North America. Thanks to the 'Cape Town' cultivar's tamed habit, you won't have to worry about diligently clipping runners, as this showstopping bloomer will remain a tidy addition to your container garden throughout the year.