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Fuchsia species - .

Author	.	Botanical references
Family	Onagraceae	Genus	Fuchsia
Synonyms
Known Hazards	None known
Range	Southern N. America.
Habitat	Not known in a wild situation
Edibility Rating	3 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	0 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

A decidious Shrub growing to 2m by 1m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge;

Cultivars: (as above except)
'Mrs Popple'
'Phyllis'

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit.

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].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

Other Uses

Hedge.

A number of frost-hardy cultivars can be grown as hedges in mild sheltered areas[188].

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil, preferring one that is rich in humus[1, 200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers cool moist conditions and some shade[1, 15]. 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[233].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[200] 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[200]. 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].

Cultivars

'Doctor Foster'

Often produces a good crop of fruit. This is quite large, up to 18mm long and 15mm in diameter. The flavour is good, though there is a slight aftertaste[K].

'Empress of Prussia'

The fruits are a very good size, up to 20mm long and almost as much in diameter. The taste is acceptable, though there is a hint of aftertaste[K].

'Lechlade Gorgon'

A hybrid between F. arborescens and F. paniculata. Said to be easier to grow than either of its parents, with larger more showy flowers and abundant crops of fruit[260].

'Mrs Popple'

A frost-hardy cultivar that can be grown as a hedge in sheltered mild areas[188].

'Pan'

A hybrid involving F. paniculata x F. triphylla and F. magdalenae[260]. It succeeds outdoors in a shady position in a Devon garden[260]. An upright bush, it fruits freely in Britain[260].

'Phyllis'

A frost-hardy cultivar that can be grown as a hedge in sheltered mild areas[188]. The fruit is very large for a fuschia, up to 25mm long and almost as much in diameter. The plant often bears a heavy crop, the flavour is good though there is a slight aftertaste[K].

'President Roosevelt'

The fruit is of a reasonable size and flavour, and is often freely born.

‘Schönbrunner Schuljubiläum’

The fruits of this cultivar have been deemed delicious by a number of children, though we have yet to try them[K].

Links

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[15] Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing 1976 ISBN 0-273-00098-5
A small book with interesting ideas for edible plants in the ornamental garden.

[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

[260] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998 ISBN 0-330-37376-5
Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Fuchsia species

nick patterson Tue Apr 21 2009

Are these really zone 0, or is this a typo?

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