All about Fuchsias

Hardy fuchsias are late-blooming perennials with a bias for shade, although some varieties such as ricartoni and Pat’s Dream are somewhat more tolerant of the sun. Fuchsias were first discovered by early expeditions to the west coast of South America in the warm, moist foothills of the coastal mountains. There are a few other areas of the word that have indigenous fuchsias but most of the f. cultivars that we see today stem from the return voyages of the early explorers from the late sixteen to early seventeen hundreds. In fact, one of the hardiest of them all, f. magilanica, was named after the famous Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Aurea magilanica, moline and ricartoni are also from the magilanica family and make excellent “first timer” plants for their ease of growing.

The French botanist Plumier, a member of one of the early shore parties, named the fuchsia after a German medical practitioner who he admired, one Dr. Fuchs, who had expired some 80 years before Plumier actually discovered the plant.

Fuchsias at Bush’s

Anne and Judy have been busy propagating the hardy perennial fuchsias as well as a dozen different hanging basket varieties. We have added several new hardies to our perennial stock of fuchsias by request. Unfortunately, at this time we are not set up for mail order, but all will be available at our farmer’s market locations. Or you can call Anne for an appointment (weekends are preferable).

Some “colorful” Fucshia names

• Stanley Cash
• Flirtatious Waltz
• Lady Boothby
• Army Nurse
• Rigatoni
• Dark Eyes
• Santa Claus
• Jingle Bells
• Folia Verigata
• …and 60 other varieties!