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Fuchsia
ONAGRACEAE
Shrubs and Trees
The Fuchsia Directory
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Fuchsias
are a genus of deciduous or evergreen shrubs and trees, grown for their
vividly coloured blooms, which are usually produced from early Summer
through to the first frosts of Autumn. Fuchsias
make outstanding plants for the Greenhouse, Conservatory and Garden, and
many are ideally suited to growing in containers and hanging baskets,
where their long flowering period never gives cause for disappointment
provided that they are regularly watered with a fertiliser high in both
nitrogen and potash, and not allowed to dry out thereby subjecting the
plants to unnecessary stress. The
single to double blooms of Fuschias are almost always pendulous and
mostly bi-coloured, with sepals of one hue and the tube and 4 petals
another. If
Fuchsias were perfumed too, then there would be no other plant to rival them. |
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Cultivation: -
Fuchsias
require a fertile, well-drained, but moist soil, and a sheltered site
where they will receive partial shade for some of the day. In
mild climate areas, Fuchsias can be grown outside like any other
Herbaceous Perennial, where even the Frost tender varieties can be
encouraged to weather what a mild Winter throws at them. However,
experience has shown that a well-drained raised flower bed with good
drainage, which helps to avoid waterlogged soil during Winter improves the
prospects for success. As does helping nature by adding some protection
from the cold as Winter approaches. Fuschias
appear to thrive in almost any soil regardless of the pH value, however,
in my own heavily limed formerly solid clay soils, I have found that neutral to slightly
alkaline soil has suited the plants I have grown. Once
you have planted your Fuchsias and they have established, keep it in mind
that they resent root disturbance, should you be forced to move them
please appreciate that it can take the rest of the season to recover, and
may in fact fail to do so. Do
not spray Fuchsias with fungicide, unless it specifically states that the
concoction is safe for use with Fuchsias, even then be wary, and never add
an extra measure of the cure for good measure. In my youth I lost an
entire batch of cuttings to a fungicidal remedy applied simply as a
precaution; not an experience to be repeated! Once
your Fuchsias have established and are showing signs of growth is the time
to start pinching out the growing tips to encourage side-shoots to develop
and form a bushy plant. Many Fuchsias have a lax habit and will
require some support through this process. Fuchsias
are very obliging and can be trained to produce almost any desired shape,
from the well-known standards, through to exotic and difficult styles such
as pyramids. It is all a matter of taste, yet most of us will be happy
with a healthy bushy plant that flowers prolifically.
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Propagation: -
Cuttings
Perhaps the easiest
way to propagate Fuchsias is by taking softwood cuttings at any time
during the early part of the growing season. (Allowing for the cutting to
root and establish prior to the onset of Winter)
Indeed it can be made a part
of the cultivation of your plants, where to encourage a bushy habit,
growing tips have to be removed, only one allows the growing tips to
develop a little further than otherwise required so that a number of
cuttings are produced. Cuttings
are the only way that we can guarantee with any certainty that the plants
produced are identical to the cultivar we wish to propagate.
Growing
from seed
Seed from your own
plants can be extremely variable, where raising seed from your own plants
can be both a delight and a disappointment. Many seed producers have taken
a lot of the heartache out of growing plants from your own seed and supply
both F1 and F2 hybrid seed, which is guaranteed to produce acceptable if not startling
results.
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Description:
The first
ever F2 mixture of Fuchsias from seed! That means high quality plants at low
cost. Your seed has been formula blended to guarantee a kaleidoscopic display
of colour in baskets, patio containers, window-boxes and borders. Germination
is high and easily achieved, producing well branched plants with self cleaning
pendulous, single and semi-double flowers, most of which are bicoloured.
Flowers summer. Height 18-24in (45-60cm).
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Description:
True from
seed and easily grown! Crowded, pendulous clusters of shiny deep red flowers
amongst glossy evergreen foliage which has a dark green and red reverse. Makes
a good pot plant and excellent patio container subject. Can be used for
hanging baskets, window boxes or for windowsill pot plants.
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Young plants
For UK residents who do not have the
time or inclination to raise their own plants from seed, or by taking
cuttings, many firms have now eliminated even this problem by producing
micro-cultured plants of named Fuchsia cultivars for you
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Fuchsia
Bumper Pack UK ONLY
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Description:
Decorate your
summer patio with a superb collection of double-flowered Fuchsias. Enjoy the
cascade of sumptuous blooms and delightful colours from your hanging baskets,
Flower Pouches, window boxes and tubs. Supplied as cell-grown young plants.
Our extra special offer comprises 24 double-flowered Fuchsias (8 plants each
of 3 varieties) and 12 giant-flowered California Dreamers (2 each of 6
varieties).
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Fuchsia
Firecracker UK ONLY
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Description:
Set your
garden ablaze with colour all through the summer months. Variegated foliage in
shades of green, splashed with cream and intricately veined in deep crimson,
is complemented with carmine pink undersides to the leaves, enhancing its
overall beauty. For the grand finale, terminal clusters of salmon pink explode
in a floral firework. 'Firecracker' has an upright, arching habit and makes a
spectacular specimen in containers. Also particularly striking en masse in
borders.
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Fuchsia
Giant-flowered Mixed UK ONLY
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Description:
Giant
sculpted flowers, often 4 inches across, with unusual colour combinations and
striking markings, make these Fuchsias irresistible. This is now established
as the leading range of giant flowered, fully- double Fuchsias - and it's not
surprising. Enjoy the spectacle of sumptuous blooms cascading from patio tubs,
window boxes, hanging baskets and Flower Pouches™ all through the summer and
right up to the first frosts.
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Fuchsia
Hardy Trio UK ONLY
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Description:
Add a little
lustre to your planting schemes with these sparkling Fuchsias. Gleaming like
jewels, they'll rescue a fading garden with an exuberant flurry of late blooms
that lasts well into the autumn. Great planted with shrubs, perennials and
roses, these 3 old favourites that date as far back as 1899, will thrive for
years and years. Vigorous deciduous shrubs that prefer a rich soil. Winter
hardy. Buy individual varieties or a collection of all 3 for HALF PRICE.
Clockwise from top left: Dollar Princess; Mrs Popple; Alice Hoffman.
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Fuchsia
Roesse Blacky UK ONLY
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Description:
Fall under
the spell of this seductively charming Fuchsia. Concealed within its buds of
shocking pink is a petticoat of the deepest purple, almost as black as night.
The dark and mysterious blooms are the ultimate in refined beauty, and
resemble ballerinas dancing along arching branches and pirouetting in a gentle
breeze. Their supporting cast of bright green foliage provides the perfect
backdrop to this summer spectacular. Semi-trailing habit ideal for containers.
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Fuchsia
Winston Churchill UK ONLY
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Description:
If you're on
a limited budget and you want a riot of colour in your baskets and containers,
then this offer is just for you. Available for the first time as plug plants,
you can purchase a tray of 35 Winston Churchill Fuchsias at the special
introductory price of only £11.99. (Normal RRP £23.99.) Credited with the
RHS Award of Garden Merit, this distinguished Fuchsia is very free-flowering
with bushy upright habit that makes it ideal for bedding and containers.
Height and spread 18 to 30 inches.
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Frost Hardy
to Frost Tender
Fuchsias resent temperatures that
rise above 90oF (32oC), or drop below 41oF
(5oC); Deciduous plants will remain evergreen provided that the
temperature does not drop below 39oF (4oC).
Prolonged low temperatures are likely to cause the growth above ground to
die over the Winter period, should this occur, then cut the plants back to
ground level in the Spring.
Pests & Diseases: -
Vine Weevils
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