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Canary Creeper
Senecio tamoides
SA tree number
English: Canary Creeper, Climbing Cineraria
Afrikaans: Kanarieklimop
Zulu: Uqobaqoba, Ihlozi Elikhulu
Senecio tamoides, also known as the Canary Creeper, is a vigorous, fast-growing, evergreen climber. It's famous for its abundant clusters of bright canary yellow, daisy-like flowers that can literally drip down walls or pergolas, creating a stunning display. Its leaves are glossy, light green, and semi-succulent, resembling ivy.
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Distinguishing features:
Vigorous, fast-growing climber or scrambler.
Semi-succulent stems and glossy, light green, fleshy leaves.
Leaves are roughly triangle-shaped with unequal lobes, similar to ivy.
Masses of bright canary yellow, daisy-like flowers borne in clusters.
Flowers have a delightful aromatic scent.
Seeds are fluffy and creamy white, typical of the daisy family.
Mostly evergreen, but can be deciduous in very cold or frosty conditions, recovering in spring.
Overall Appearance:
A vigorous, evergreen climbing shrub with slender, twining stems.
Height:
Can climb to significant heights, reaching several metres up supporting structures like trees and fences.
Width:
Can spread extensively as it climbs.
Leaves:
Heart-shaped with pointed tips.
5-15 centimetres long.
Green, often with a slightly bluish-green hue.
Distinguishing Feature: Leaves are often succulent and have a slightly waxy coating.
Flowers:
Wonderfully bright canary yellow
Daisy flowers
Borne massed in clusters
Have a delightful aromatic scent
Flowering season:
Late Summer, Autumn (March to July)
Fruits:
Small, dry achenes with feathery pappus (like a dandelion seed).
Stems:
Smooth, slender and becoming woody with age.
Vigorous, fast-growing
Semi-succulent
Green
Need support to climb
Soil Type:
Prefers well-drained, fertile soils.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Ecology:
Occurs naturally on indigenous forest margins.
Scrambles up shrubs and climbs into trees in its natural habitat, twining from the shady forest floor to reach sunlit tree-tops for successful flowering.
Attracts many pollinating insects.
Distribution and habitat:
Not endemic to South Africa.
Occurs naturally on indigenous forest margins from the Eastern Cape to Zimbabwe.
Also found in patches of forest in KwaZulu-Natal and in scattered localities along the escarpment.
Terrestrial major system.
Major habitats include forest.
Derivation of name:
The word Senecio is derived from the Latin "senex" meaning 'old man', referring to the fluffy white seed heads typical of many plants in this genus.
The species name tamoides means 'resembling Tamus', which is another creeping plant.
Interesting facts:
This plant is so happy and healthy in the wild that it's listed as "Least Concern" on the SANBI Red List – hurray for the Canary Creeper!
Even though it's called a 'creeper', it can also act like a groundcover and just sprawl out beautifully! Talk about versatility!
Its name, Senecio, comes from a Latin word meaning 'old man', which is a nod to its fluffy white seed heads that look a bit like an old man's beard – how cool is that?
Growing tips:
The long, green, smooth stems need support to climb.
Feed regularly to encourage good health and to support its vigorous growth and flowering.
Water sparingly as this plant is semi-succulent and can tolerate long periods of dryness once established.
It prefers a warm climate.
It dies back in colder climates or areas with severe frost, but will recover quickly and easily in spring; prune away any frost-damaged parts.
Can be cut almost down to the ground each year after flowering and seeding, as it will shoot new growth again in spring, easily regaining its previous height and vigour in one season's growth.
Can also be trimmed regularly while growing to control its spread if it's taking over too much of the garden.
Propagate from seed sown in spring, or by taking stem cuttings in summer.
Treat cuttings with a rooting hormone and place in river sand until roots have formed.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
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Plant family (derivation)