Q: You might be able to answer a mystery for me. I’ve seen two shrubs in different states that look the same but with different flower colours. They grow in very different climates, but look easy to grow, yet, I’ve never seen them for sale. What are they and why aren’t they in garden centres?
Grace G., Mosman, NSW
A: This has to be one of the best questions I’ve ever been asked. They’re called Cape Fuchsia and happen to be favourites of mine that I’ve grown over the years. These plants are native to South Africa and despite their name, are not related to fuchsias. The coral-redform, Phygelius capensis, grows 1x1.5m and thrives in a range of climates, except areas with severe frost. It flowers from spring to autumn.
The yellow-flowering form appears to be another species, P. aequalis ‘Yellow Trumpet’ but it may also just be a yellow form of the previous species. It is also hardy to a wide climatic range from tablelands to coastal in full sun to light shade. Both are easy to grow and undemanding.
As to why they are not widely sold in garden centres, I suspect it is just limited available space with new plant varieties coming out every year. Local fetes and plant collector fairs and the like are more popular for this very reason as a source of the unusual.
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