Honeybells

Honeybell bush(Eng), Heuningklokkiesbos (Afr.)

A small tree or bush with yellow bell flowers that attracts many insects and birds in winter. It is multi-stemmed and has long drooping branches (like a willow) with narrow elongated leaves. Seeds are small and brown. Naturally occurring along river banks and grows fast in moist conditions. It can be grown in both summer and winter rainfall regions. An attractive garden plant that attracts birds and insects in winter.

Planning

Difficulty

Moderate

Flowering time

Spring

Fruiting time

Summer

Harvesting

Harvest seeds after flower in spring to early summer.

Propagation

Seed

Sow seed in Autumn one and a half times deeper than the size of the seed. Germination time is about 3 weeks.

Cuttings

Make cuttings in warmer summer months.

Special features

Attracts birds

Birds visit frequently because of abundance of insects attracted to the fragrant flowers.

Attracts useful insects

Fragrant flowers attracts butterflies, bees and other nectar-loving insects.

Wet sites

Thrive in wetlands and marshy areas.

Geography

Origin

Marshy areas in Southwestern Cape towards Uitenhage in the east and north towards Calvinia.

Natural climate

Mediterranean

Environment

Light

Full Sun

Soil moisture

Wet

Soil type

Loam

Soil PH preference

Neutral

Frost hardiness

Hardy

Uses

Notes

An attractive garden plant that attracts birds and insects in winter.

Personality

Family

Scrophulariaceae

Flower colour

Yellow, orange and cream.

Scent

Strong

Problems

Grasshoppers and nibbling insects.

Garden locust

Acanthacris ruficornis

Companion plants

Restio sp. Wachendorfia thyrsiflora, Arum lily