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Fuchsias

Fuchsias: they’re the plants that no-one can spell but everyone admires. Here are some photos from my collection.

The genus Fuchsia was named after German botanist Leonhart Fuchs (1501-1566) after the first species was found growing in the central Americas in 1696. Since that time, fuchsias have been widely cultivated and active breeding work from enthusiasts across the world has yielded thousands of attractive cultivars.

One of my earlier childhood memories is of the collection of fuchsias growing in hanging baskets under the back pergola at my grandparents’ house. The foliage and flowers would spill over the sides of the baskets and offered much interest to a small boy fascinated by plants. As a child, I would sometimes see the fat, juicy floral buds and would squeeze them gently until they made a ‘pop’. This amused me greatly. Such behaviour did not amuse my grandfather however, so I had to ‘pop’ the fuchsias in secret!

Earlier this year, I decided to establish my own collection of fuchsias. The advantage of modern-day commerce is that one can select from a wide of cultivars and order online. Mine came from Tasmania and when they arrived, I quickly planted them into new hanging baskets.

Fuchsias are reasonably easy to cultivate. With some protection from frosts in Winter, they will respond well to periodic fertiliser and a light prune. Once a year, they should be cut-back hard in order to stimulate new growth. The ‘trailing’ types are best for hanging baskets, whereas the ‘upright’ cultivars are more suited to pots or the garden.

My collection of fuchsias has now come into flower. The plants look spectacular hanging beside my front door and growing in my patio area. Below are some photos of the five cultivars that I have purchased so far. I hope to expand my collection further… space permitting!

Fuchsia ‘Golden Anniversary’

F. ‘Golden Anniversary’ initially opens with deep purple petals that fade to a lighter colour as the flower matures.

fuchsia-golden-anniversary

Fuchsia ‘Cecile’

F. ‘Cecile’ is an absolute show-stopper with its combination of deep pink and mauve-coloured blooms. What the flowers lack in size they compensate for in quantity.

fuchsia-cecile
Fuchsia 'Cecile'

Fuchsia ‘Ringwood Market’

I do love the curled sepals on F. ‘Ringwood Market’.

Fuchsia 'Ringwood Market'

Fuchsia ‘Pussycat’

The flowers of F. ‘Pussycat’ are very small by fuchsia standards but are pretty all the same. This is a trailing cultivar.

fuchsia-pussycat

Fuchsia ‘Jack Stanway’

F. ‘Jack Stanway’ is an upright cultivar with variegated grey-green and cream leaves.

Fuchsia 'Jack Stanway'
Fuchsia 'Jack Stanway'
   

Comments

One response to “Fuchsias”

On 8 March 2014, isobel wrote: Hyperlink chain icon

A happy blog, and I understand the pleasure derived from these delightful plants.

Always a favourite of mine, once I had many baskets of different varieties, but, alas, when we moved into smaller premises, only one came with us. However, it has been a good choice, as the birds do enjoy the nectar from the flowers in this hanging basket and it gives much interest to me as I watch them.

As is usual, I read your blog with pleasure.

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