Fuchsia species
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Fuchsia genus in the family Onagraceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Onagraceae
- Genus
- Fuchsia
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 2 m
- Spread
- 1 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw. The fruit of all species and cultivars of this genus is edible, though in many instances the fruit leaves an unpleasant after-taste in the mouth[K].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A number of frost-hardy cultivars can be grown as hedges in mild sheltered areas[3].
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- Southern N. America.
- Habitat
- Not known in a wild situation
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[4] 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[4]. 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. This is a cultivar and so will not breed true from seed, though this can be a good way of obtaining new fruiting forms. 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].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil, preferring one that is rich in humus[1][4]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers cool moist conditions and some shade[1][2]. Succeeds in a good loam if leafmold and sand are added[1]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. This is a seedling from an unlabelled hardy fuchsia cultivar that had good quality fruit[K] (this does not relate to the named cultivars included here). Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-273-00098-5
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