There are several reasons for the popularity of fuchsias and the most obvious is the beauty of their single or double flowers that always add a touch of elegance to the shaded areas of the garden.
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These semi-deciduous, hardy, upright or trailing shrubs grow in a variety of situations including pots, hanging baskets, low bushes in a herbaceous garden, trained as espaliers and standards or planted to form a very decorative flowering hedge.
Covered in gorgeous, pendulous flowers through spring into early autumn these adaptable, marvellously-coloured plants are easy to care for, producing a continuous, stunning display with minimal effort.
The trailing varieties are perfect for hanging baskets under a sheltered pergola, in a tree, or in a shaded area of the garden.
Old, tough varieties include Swingtime with double pink flowers and a white centre; Quasar another double with stunning white and dauphin-blue blooms; Lisa has bright rose/rich lavender double flowers and Miss California produces pretty single, soft pink and white flowers.
Fuchsia magellanica makes a great hedge while the dwarf variety Tom Thumb is especially floriferous.
Of the upright varieties the most popular would have to be Voodoo with its large double red flowers with violet blue centres. A very old, robust variety.
Patio Princess is a more recent addition with lovely rose red, double flowers and a white centre. Source from specialist nurseries.
It’s particularly important to ensure that fuchsias growing in pots and hanging baskets aren’t allowed to dry out. Keep the soil moist but not wet.
Fuchsias do best in well-drained positions with dappled shade and protection from the hot midday and afternoon sun. The varieties with darker foliage seem to be tougher than the paler-leafed ones. Always water in the morning to help avoid fungal problems.
In spring, pinch out the central bud at the end of each shoot to encourage the plant to grow bushier. In mid-summer, if the plant is starting to look a little tired, cut back hard and fertilise to encourage new growth.
Remove spent flowers to keep the plants looking tidy and to promote a longer flowering season. Don’t allow the berries to form as they will reduce flower production.
For more flowers and healthy plants water with a potash solution of one heaped teaspoon to two litres of water in spring and summer. Once or twice a year feed with a long-lasting fertiliser.
Fuchsias are easy to strike if you take cuttings about 10 centimetres long with a heel in spring or longer hardwood cuttings in autumn. Softwood cuttings can be taken at most times of the year. Select a tip about 10 centimetres in length, remove lower leaves and trim stem just below a node. Dip cuttings in hormone powder or gel and plant firmly in damp sand. It takes about six weeks for cuttings to strike.
DIARY
September 23, 24: Blooming Tasmania’s Flower & Garden Festival Albert Hall, cnr Cimitiere and Tamar streets, Launceston. Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-4pm. The popular ABC Gardening Program Live will at the Albert Hall with Chris Wisbey and Peter Cundall, Saturday 9am-11am.
October 17: Australian Plant Society meets at Max Fry Hall on Gorge Rd, Trevallyn at 7.30pm. Mark Wapstra is guest presenter and visitors are most welcome.
October 18: The Launceston Horticultural Society meets at Windmill Hill Hall, High Street, Launceston at 8pm. Home-made supper.
October 19: The Launceston Orchid Society meets at the Newnham Uniting Church Hall, George Town Road, Newnham at 7pm. Visitors most welcome.