Cape honeysuckle usually waits until autumn before blossoming with bright orange, tubular flowers. It can be grown as a vine or a shrub.




Photograph by Shari Kaplan







Patriotic-colored flowers do well in autumn, winter

By Tony Tomeo

It is always gratifying to hear from garden enthusiasts who are exceptionally proud of their gardens. I recently received an email from a Mr. Gotelli of Willow Glen who not only enjoys gardening, but, like many of his neighbors, is very proud of the camphor trees lining his street.

In the Sept. 26 edition of this column, I mentioned that Maple Drive in Beverly Hills exhibits excellent examples of camphors as street trees creating a cave-like effect. Apparently, the southeast section of Westwood Drive (east of Meridian Avenue and south of Willow Street) is even more impressive, with older trees exceeding 50 years of age. Those interested in the potential of the species might consider a visit to this location.

Pam Manes, another garden enthusiast from Los Gatos, is also proud of the cool season annual color she planted in pots around her garden patio in late September. ("Color" designates annual or perennial species grown for profusion of colorful flowers.) Although she uses a wide range of species to achieve the desired effect and normally enjoys all colors, the range of colors is now limited to only red, white and blue. These three appropriately stylish colors have become so popular so instantly that many nurseries cannot stock annuals within this range fast enough to supply the demand. It may unfortunately be a while before increased production becomes available.

Annual color that may be planted now for good red includes pansy, salvia (splendens), primrose and verbena. Because verbena does not continue to bloom in cool weather and salvia can eventually be damaged by frost, pansy and primrose are likely the most reliable annuals. Dianthus, cyclamen, fibrous begonia and chrysanthemum are good red-blooming perennials.

White may be achieved with annual candytuft, alyssum, verbena (while weather remains warm), primrose, viola or pansy. Perennials include the same as those listed for red flowers: dianthus, cyclamen, fibrous begonia and chrysanthemum.

Blue-blooming annuals include viola, pansy, primrose, cineraria and ageratum. Verbena is also available in blue, but can be somewhat pale or purplish. Delphinium and some types of asters are perennials that bloom into autumn, but are not reliable through winter.

There are several other perennial and annual color species, but these I have listed are more commonly available. Some garden enthusiasts prefer using pansy or primrose so that all three colors can be achieved with one species. Those using primrose for the first time should be aware that some people experience a potentially severe allergic reaction from contact, similar to that of poison oak.

Many garden enthusiasts may find this color range inconsistent with normal preferences. Personally, I prefer white flowers wherever they are suitable and only use other colors because our small garden is otherwise rather insipid. However, most will find the use of this limited color range may enhance the therapeutic effects of gardening activities.

Flower of the Week: Cape honeysuckle

Cape honeysuckle, Tecomaria capensis, produces flowers that are more bright orange than orange-red, but need not interfere with a newly established color scheme if used outside of main annual and perennial beds. It is classified as an evergreen vine and may grow to 20 feet tall, but will not climb and must be tied or fastened to support.

It is more often pruned into large shrubbery as low as only a few feet high. It is most appealing if pruned most severely in late winter but only as needed through the summer, but otherwise permitted to develop without interruption until bloom begins around early October. Bloom may be delayed by late, severe pruning. The finely textured, pinnately compound foliage is glossy dark green. Tubular, 2-inch flowers grow in vertical clusters. A smaller cultivar with yellow flowers and paler foliage is rarely available.

Good drainage is preferred, but heat, wind, severe sun exposure or mild shade are easily tolerated. Cape honeysuckle is also somewhat drought tolerant when established. It may be used as an informal hedge but is better for use where permitted to grow as uninhibited as possible. It is generally stocked in most nurseries and garden centers but is more commonly available now as blooms increase its popularity.

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Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408.358.2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.

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