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Fuchsias - Half Hardy -
hardy
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Fuchsias
are quite rightly one of the most popular of all summer flowers. There are two
main groups, half hardy and fully hardy plants.
The half-hardy Fuchsias are the group that people most often think of as typical of the group. They are usually summer flowering in two shades of white, red, pink and purple. The flowers are usually paired and downwards facing, which while it adds to their charm, also rather limits their use in the garden, though many gardeners are more than prepared to display these plants above ground level in order to enjoy them.
These are usually bought as small plug plants in the spring, which is the most economical way of buying them. They can be overwintered easily in a frost-free place, such as a greenhouse, conservatory or similar.
They shouldn't be kept too warm in the dormant season as it encourages growth and in the absence of much light in the winter this results in weak and leggy growth. As long as they don't get frosted, are kept reasonably moist and an eye is kept on them for aphid infestations (which can happen in mid-winter), they can be kept for several years (after which time cuttings can be taken to keep the plants going).
Fuchsias can be grown in sun or semi-shade. They need moisture and flower better when the roots are somewhat restrained - this means a relatively small container to plant size is needed and means that they will dry out very quickly in sunny a spot. The leaves are quite thin and soft and can be burnt by too much direct sunshine.
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Height and spread: up to 1m x 1m (3ft x 3ft) but very variable by variety and typically plants are half this size when mature.
Position:
Soil:
Rate of growth:
Flowering period:
Flower colour:
Flower size:
Hardiness:
Garden care:
Uses - Containers, especially hanging baskets, wall pot etc.
Just how do you spell this name!?
This genus of plants is named after the botanist Leonhart Fuchs, so adding "ia" for Fuchsia makes it more Latin-like. Other similar examples are Joseph Banks and Banksia and Louis Antoine de Bougainville and Bougainvillea.
A fabulous Fuchsia photographs site - over 300 varieties and nice big pictures too.
Q. Just where do you deadhead a fuchsia, just take the flower off or take off the little ball behind the flower?
A. The little ball behind the flower is the fruit, you need to take this off as well or the plant will put all its energy into these instead of new flowers.
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