Phygelius aequalis Croftway Yellow Sovereign - Cape Fuchsia

The Cape Fuchsia or Phygelius aequalis Croftway 'Yellow Sovereign' forms dense clusters of flowers for almost 5 months, adorned with long tubular and pendulous creamy yellow bells. They are suspended above its beautiful dark green foliage, which is more or less evergreen. This beautiful, compact perennial shrub grows rapidly and blooms from June to October. The plant will survive our winters with some protection and thrive in a cool but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.

Called Cape Fuchsia perhaps because of the shape of its flowers and foliage, Phygelius aequalis is an herbaceous undershrub with woody base, evergreen in its native climate, and considered a perennial shrub in cold climates. It belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae, not Onagraceae, which includes the genus Fuchsia. Phygelius aequalis is native to South Africa, specifically the North Province (Mpumalanga, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Swaziland), a summer rainfall region where it often grows at altitudes over 2000 meters (6562 feet), on moist slopes and near streams, as well as in open forests. Its hardiness is roughly equivalent to that of Fuchsia magellanica (-10/-12°C (14/10.4°F)). The plant produces underground stolons that allow it to spread without becoming invasive.

The variety 'Croftway Yellow Sovereign' is part of a series of cultivars selected in England for their dense habit, sturdy stems, increased floribundity, and vibrant flower colors. 'Yellow Sovereign' stands out with the pale Naples yellow color of its long tubular flowers. They are clustered in unilateral spikes at the end of naked branches that rise above dark green foliage. They bloom continuously throughout the summer on a 60 cm (24in) tall and 50 cm (20in) wide bush, in the same year of planting. Each flower, with its pendulous trumpet shape, is carried on a curved peduncle. The corolla forms a very elongated tube (sometimes reaching 6 cm (2in) in length) open on 5 lobes, brighter than the tube, from which the stamens and pistil emerge. In the center of the flower, a light yellow throat can be distinguished. The foliage consists of simple, ovate leaves with dentate margins, and their color is dark green. Depending on the severity of the winter, it will be evergreen or more or less deciduous.

The Fuchsia-Phygelius Croftway 'Yellow Sovereign' will find its place in sunny or semi-shaded flower beds, for example alongside Fuchsia magellanica 'Tricolor' or 'Alba', blue or white agapanthus, and asters that will take over after its flowering. It can be interesting to place it at a higher level, above a low wall, in a rockery or a raised flower bed, or even in a hanging basket, in order to observe the flower from below. Phygelius are perennials that bring an exotic touch to wild-looking flower beds, as their flowers are smaller than penstemons' and their shades are more subtle, attracting many pollinating animals. These plants also thrive in pots.

Note: Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, repot and store them in a sheltered place (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before being installed outdoors once the risk of frost has definitively passed.