Fuchsia magellanica |
Native Region: South America/Chile
Zone Range: 7-10
Preferred Climate: Full to semi sun; warm sites with humus rich evenly moist soil.
Harvest Date: Friday 23 October, 2009
Seed count: 20-25
Description:
Graceful multibranching shrub bearing small bright mid green lance shaped leaves along the entire length of the branches. At the tips danty red and purple ballerina like flowers hang in abundance from mid Spring to frost. In warmer climates, the leaves and the flowers will continue to bloom but not so in colder climates with snow and frost. Hummingbird magnet. Easy to grow. Each arching branch may reach over 2 meters in height. A neighbour of a dear friend has a plant in a sheltered spot by the ocean and the branches reach over 3 meters in all directions.
Notes:
A beneficial layer of insulating mulch will protect the root crown from severe snow or frost where new growth will pop up in Spring if the top growth is killed. Sometimes referred as White Hardy Fuchsia or 'Alba' but the flower is not white. Does not tolerate extreme temperature swings nor overly dry sites. Likes sites with morning some mid day shade in warmer climates.
Cultivation:
Surface sow seed as it needs light to germinate. Press seed into sandy compost surface layer and tamp firm. Mist well. Plastic cover greatly improves success. Needs to sit at 4 C for a couple of weeks before germinating at 12-15 C. Germination can be erratic. Even if you only get a couple of plants per packet, cuttings root readily from cuttings.
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