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Fuchsia species

Common name:		Family:	Onagraceae
Author:	.	Botanical references:
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	Southern N. America.
Habitat:	Not known in a wild situation
Edibility Rating (1-5):	2	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	0

Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Myrtales. Evening Primrose family

Physical Characteristics

A decidious shrub growing to 2m by 1m . It is frost tender. It is in flower from August to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 2/5 for edibility and 0/5 for medicinal use.

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 and Possible Locations

Hedge, Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.

Cultivar 'Mrs Popple': Hedge, Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.
Cultivar 'Phyllis': Hedge, Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.

Edible Uses

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

Disclaimer

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

'Schönbrunner Schuljubiläum': The fruits of this cultivar have been deemed delicious by a number of children, though we have yet to try them[K].
'President Roosevelt': The fruit is of a reasonable size and flavour, and is often freely born.
'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].
'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].
'Mrs Popple': A frost-hardy cultivar that can be grown as a hedge in sheltered mild areas[188].
'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].
'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].
'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].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

PFAF Web Pages

This plant is mentioned in the following web pages

Web References

[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for the family Onagraceae.

To be included in the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

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.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
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