Fuchsia hemsleyana
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Onagraceae
- Genus
- Fuchsia
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- moderate
- Height
- 2 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
Fruit - raw or cooked[K]. A small round berry about 5mm in diameter, it is juicy with a reasonable flavour but rather a fiddle to pick[K].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Environment
- Range
- Central America - Costa Rica and Panama.
- Habitat
- Oak woods, often as an epiphyte.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[5] though it can also be sown in the spring[1]. Surface sow the seed in pots in a warm greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out[5]. Germination should take place in less than 6 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Inter-nodal cuttings of greenwood, 5 - 8cm long, May/June in a frame. Quick and easy, a high percentage take[78, K]. Overwinter in the greenhouse for the first year and plant out after the last expected frosts. Inter-nodal cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very quick and easy, treat as greenwood cuttings above[K]. Cuttings usually succeed at any time during the growing season[K]. Division of tubers in the spring[4]. Dig up the plant as it comes into active growth and pot up the tubers with their growing stems. Grow them on in the greenhouse until established and plant them out in early summer.
Cultivation
Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil[5]. Succeeds in a good loam if sand and leafmold are added[1]. Prefers a cool but light position[7]. This species is not very cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°c[7]. It could possibly be grown outdoors in the milder areas of the country, especially if given the protection of a woodland or a wall[K]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[6]. A good bee plant[2]. A polymorphic species, a number of sub-species are recognised[3].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5