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Fuchsias
The first plants I ever grew from cuttings were Fuchsias and because they rooted so readily they gave me the confidence to go on to propagate other plants. Before I knew it I had a burgeoning nursery of all manner of plants. But the Fuchsias were the first and I have fond memories of them.
In my new garden in Levin I am gradually building up a collection of them again. They are the most rewarding of plants to grow as a small plant will grow to an almost fully grown specimen all in one season. I bought tiny plants back in early October and potted them into margarine sized containers until they were a lot bigger and bushier. Late November I planted them out and by Christmas they were in full flower and they won’t stop flowering until the first frosts.
Fuchsias are a genus of shrubs or small trees native to central and South America ,Tahiti and New Zealand. The large flowered varieties that make such a show in gardens are derived from single red and purple flowered south American species that were collected and brought back to England in the 1700s.With the introduction of so many species it wasn’t long before the first hybrids appeared. When a white flowered variant was discovered the gene pool expanded to give us pinks and blues and then double flowered varieties became available for sale. Such is the popularity of the Fuchsia that over 60000 named Fuchsias have been introduced over the past 150 years. A staggering 2000 varieties are still currently in cultivation. Red, purple and blue are still the predominant colours with all the pastels in between. There is still the race on to bred the elusive yellow.
Such is the world wide popularity of Fuchsias that most big towns have clubs devoted to growing and showing them. This is the time of year when you can enjoy Fuchsia shows and they are truly lovely to visit. Here you will see the full colour range in both single and double flowered varieties. Also you will be able to see how Fuchsias can be trained into different shapes and forms. The naturally lax growing forms are particulary suitable for baskets or trained into a standard and then branches allowed to cascade freely. The tighter growing varieties with smaller growing leaves are well suited to training into pyramids and pillars.
For the garden there are Fuchsias that will grow into trees. My favourite is Fuchsia arborescens (translates to Tree Fuchsia) from Mexico.This lovely Fuchsia produces large panicles of small rosy purple upward facing flowers. It flowers for most of the year but very abundantly through winter and spring. It is a favourite food supply of Tuis and Bellbirds through winter and I have witnessed many skirmishes between the two birds over feeding rights. Finches adore it as well.
Fuchsia excorticata our native tree Fuchsia is the largest growing in the world and can reach 12ms in height.It is naturally a straggly grower, preferring to grow as an under storey tree .I find this characteristic charming as the trunks become gnarled and covered with a papery bark which readily peels. The flowers are curious, not beautiful and not that easily noticed. They are reddish and green, but nectar feeding birds notice them. Large dark purple luscious berries follow to tempt seed eating birds.
The shrub varieties range from cascades or ground covers, miniature growing and flowering forms with small leaves and small single flowers and normal bush ones which can range in height from 30 cms to 1.8ms.Most grow naturally bushy but the bigger leafed varieities tend to grow more open and lax. This is easily remedied by pinching back the growing shoots regulary.
Fuchsias respond so well to pruning. Old shrubs or trees can be cut back to ground level and up they will sprout again full of vigour to renew themselves. Undertake any major pruning through spring and summer to allow the shrub to have hardened wood by next winter. Fuchsias are frost tender and winters will defoliate them .It does not matter for the showy varieties as they are content to rest through winter but the long tubed ever flowering varieties can be killed by heavy frosts. Protect young plants for their first few years and they will survive light frosts. The winter flowering varieties are tender as they are true evergreens and will only tolerate light frosts once they have been established.
Keep well watered through the growing season It is impossible to over water a Fuchsia. Their stems are so full of water and the flowers produced are so numerous that these plants need optimum water to give lovely results. Dryness will cause browning of the leaves which will drop with the flowers if the drought is prolonged. Feed with garden galore in spring and with rose fertilizer in summer. Dead heading isn’t necessary as the seed heads will eventually drop but quick removal of the heads will result in a quick next flush of flowers.
Grow in sun or semi shade .Full sun will encourage more flowers but a semi shaded position affords more cover from the sun so the plant is less prone to drying out.
Fuchsias make excellent container plants as long as they are kept well watered and fed. Their roots don’t seem to mind the root constriction and periodical root pruning is also beneficial to allow room for fresh potting mix.
Black spot and rust can be a problem particulary in sheltered humid areas. To avoid these problems grow where there is plenty of air movement. If disease strikes then cut all the foliage off the plant and burn. The Fuchsia will soon be clothed again with leaves and flowers.
Fuchsias look great in most planting schemes as long as they are getting enough water.I grow them with perennials, including Hostas and Roses. They thrive in the same conditions as ferns and will soften any rigid plantings and harsh corners.When they get too bad a quick trim will keep them in check but not stop the flowering.
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