Q. Our cape honeysuckle
has done well, even bloomed during the past winters. But this time of year it always
stops blooming. Is there something I should be doing or not doing to keep it
flowering through the summer?
has done well, even bloomed during the past winters. But this time of year it always
stops blooming. Is there something I should be doing or not doing to keep it
flowering through the summer?
 |
| Its winter for cryin out loud. Why are you in bloom, ag shame? |
A. Cape honeysuckle is
from South Africa, below the equator, so it’s bloom time is the opposite of
ours; blooms in the winter and not during the summer. Another plant from South
Africa, African sumac, does the same thing.
from South Africa, below the equator, so it’s bloom time is the opposite of
ours; blooms in the winter and not during the summer. Another plant from South
Africa, African sumac, does the same thing.
 |
| No flowers now. Must be spring or jost sommer. |
Cape honeysuckle is a great plant for the dry desert
because it is not as invasive here as it can be in wet climates. The only
drawback is it being winter tender at temperatures around 25 degrees F.
because it is not as invasive here as it can be in wet climates. The only
drawback is it being winter tender at temperatures around 25 degrees F.
Watch for freezing
damage during particularly cold winters or in cold landscape microclimates.
Much like Bougainvillea, if the base is protected with mulch during the winter
it will grow back again from the protected base.