Pruning Phygelius rectus "African Queen"

Hi All
I have a Phygelius rectus, "African Queen" in a 14" pot on the patio, it is looking a bit straggly when and how much should I prune off.

Thanks

Dave

 

This is what I found on googling...

http://www.rainyside.com/features/plant_gallery/shrubs/Phygelius_WinchesterFanfare.html

It has a lovely quote - "Plant a phygelius and watch the hummingbirds flock to it." - maybe I'd better look for a UK site!

Moorland Cottage Plants gives this advice, which fits with what I'd expect....

"Phygelius Cape Figwort. Strictly speaking, phygelius are evergreen shrubs and attain a large size in their native Africa. They are much hardier than frequently supposed and in frosty climates behave like hardy perennials with the stems being cut down in harsh weather. Leave the old stems on the plant during winter for extra protection and cut back during spring. In really cold areas a dry mulch will give extra protection. They are grown for their large, branching panicles of numerous, showy, tubular flowers which are borne over a long period."

 

Hi Davidguy - Good choice - I have a Phygelius Rectus 'Cherry Ripe', which is a lovely plant. Mind you, if it grows to five foot you are going to have a big plant. I am sure Dendro is right about the treatment (she always is!). I didn't dare leave mine outside this winter, but I took some cuttings very late in October-ish, and should have several to play with next year. It probably is hardy.

 

Thank you, Peter! What a nice thing to say!

I ahve an unidentified one that I got in the rescue section at one of our local GCs - it's a yellow one - maybe when I see it in bloom next year I'll have a shot at getting an ident. Looks like it may be Yellow Trumpet.

One of my neighbours has one out in a not very sheltered part of the garden, and it's doing fine there, so I've followed their lead, and put mine in our front garden.

 

Do'n't know the name of the ones in my garden but they have been there for two years now without problem although I know them to be a bit suspect to the frosts and I do dry mulch. The heights vary from 2-3ft. in my garden and lots of suckers which are easily removed as it says in the web site in Dendy's reply.
They are rather straggly/leggy and need a bit more sun that what they get - am going to try pruning to the ground later in the year.