The silhouette of fuchsias varies depending on the species, and can be bushy, erect, hanging or creeping. The flowers display lovely hues and twirl with the slightest breath of wind. Tubular and pendulous, often two-tone, sometimes semi-double to double, in tones often pink, going from pinkish cream to purple red, they sometimes tend to blue. There are a few species with orange or chartreuse, and pure white flowers. Rich in nectar, they attract pollinators. Their fruits are small purple or black berries, often edible. These plants measure, depending on the species and varieties, from 20 cm to 1.50 m, although a climbing species can approach 3 m high.
A hint of history
The Reverend Father Charles Plumier, religious and botanist, brought back from the Caribbean a plant, now very common, which he dedicated to the German botanist doctor Fuchs. Fuchsia was named! It was at the very beginning of the 18th century. It is fascinating to delve into the life of this exploring monk, who combined a spirit of adventure, a talent for drawing – he created a myriad of botanical drawings of exemplary precision – and an insatiable curiosity for the plant world. Since then, many species have been discovered (around a hundred) in South America, and above all thousands of hybrids have been born, and the creations continue to amaze us every year.
Take care
These graceful perennial bushes, not always hardy, flower in the ground, in pots and in planters throughout the summer. In mild climates, certain species form very attractive small hedges. Fast growing, with continuous flowering, varied colors and shapes, fuchsias are essential. Plant them in deep, cool, humus and draining soil, in gentle sun or partial shade. At the end of autumn, bring in non-hardy plants and mulch hardy plants. The hardiest ones tolerate – 10°C, even – 15°C and start again in spring. It is prudent to protect them in November under a thick layer of dead leaves or dry heather.
My anthology
It is very difficult for me to make a small selection, they are all so attractive…
The great classic, Fuchsia magellanica, resists up to –15°C. This species was first discovered near the Strait of Magellan, hence its name. Very elegant, this fuchsia grows in a bush, with flexible, light and very flowering branches. The shades of the small leaves oscillate between dark green and purple, while the tubular flowers, dark red with shades of purple, fall gracefully from March to Christmas. There is a pinkish white variety.
• Fuchsia magellanica “Alba”. Simple, fine flowers 2 to 3 cm long. White tube and sepals, pink petals.
• Fuchsia magellanica “Versicolor”. The young leaves, tinged with pink, then turn verdigris. The thin branches, garnished with red flowers, are arched and the tuft barely exceeds 80 cm.
• Fuchsia magellanica “Riccartonii”, most often grown in gardens. Red tube and sepals, purple petals.
• Fuchsia boliviana “Alba” blooms in clusters of flowers in long white tubes with a pinkish-red calyx.
• Fuchsia x bacillaris, has a purple-pink star-shaped calyx and thin, red petals.
• If you like large, simple flowers, go for Fuchsia “Beacon Rose”, a sugared pink. Or Fuchsia ‘Rose de Castille’, with white sepals, and a magenta corolla
• Do you prefer large double flowers? Fuchsia “Brenda”, with sugared pink petals and ivory sepals, is lovely.
• Fuchsia “Helen White”, ruffles the flowerbeds, with its very large, skirted, white flowers.
• Fuchsia “Annabelle”, opens into semi-double, white flowers.
• Fuchsia “La Campanelle”, has a well-opened, pinkish-cream calyx and double, mauve-purple petals.
This list could continue indefinitely…
For foodies
The berries of all fuchsias are edible, but some are too bitter and astringent to provide pleasure! Two species are very tasty. You can use them as decoration, in a fruit salad or on pastries, or transform them into jams. The harvest takes place between September and November, depending on the maturity of the fruit.
Fuchsia procumbens, with a creeping habit, does not exceed 15 cm in height but can spread over more than 50 cm. The small, erect, green-yellow flowers, present in mild climates from March to November, have surprising blue pollen! The fruits of this creeping fuchsia are among the largest of their kind. Purple when ripe, shaped like a small plum, they measure 2-3 cm. Reserve for regions where temperatures do not drop below 7°C, otherwise protect the stump in winter. It is a perfect plant to serve as a ground cover by the sea.
Fuchsia regia, the royal fuchsia. Good vigor and relatively hardy for a fuchsia – it withstands frosts of – 10, even – 12 °C – it produces from May to October pretty red flowers on almost climbing stems which creep up on their support, a tutor shrub being ideal. It can thus rise up to 2 or 3 m. The elongated fruits, black when ripe, are very sweet.
Where to see a beautiful collection of fuchsias
The National Museum of Natural History is opening, within the Versailles-Chèvreloup Arboretum, a new exceptional space entirely devoted to fuchsias, offering the public the unprecedented discovery of a remarkable plant collection, at the crossroads of botany, horticulture, research and landscape.
On 1.5 hectares, a unique walk reveals one of the most important collections of fuchsias in the world. Throughout a 1,000 m² garden and a 400 m² biogeographic greenhouse, visitors discover 450 varieties with spectacular shapes and colors. From horticultural fuchsias adapted to the Ile-de-France climate to wild species from the forests of South America and Oceania, the route invites you on a real plant journey.
Between science, plant heritage and wonder, this new destination reveals all the richness of a fascinating botanical genre. A rare immersion in the world of fuchsias, where the history of gardens, botanical explorations and the diversity of life intersect. The opportunity also to discover the other botanical wonders that the Arboretum abounds with its avenue of blue cedars and its giant sequoias.
Versailles-Chevreloup Arboretum. Open every day, from 10 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. depending on the season. 30 route de Saint-Germain – 78 150 Le Chesnay-Rocquencourt.
