Fuchsia hemsleyana
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Perennial (hardy)
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Frost limit
- −6.7 °C
Cultivation
Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil. This species is not very cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°c. It could possibly be grown outdoors in the milder areas of the country, especially if given the protection of a woodland or a wall[K]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A good bee plant. A polymorphic species, a number of sub-species are recognised.
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. 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. 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]. Division of tubers in the spring. Dig up the plant as it comes into active growth and pot up the tubers with their growing stems. Grow them on in the greenhouse until established and plant them out in early summer.
Edible uses
Fruit - raw or cooked[K]. A small round berry about 5mm in diameter, it is juicy with a reasonable flavour but rather a fiddle to pick[K].
Habitat
Oak woods, often as an epiphyte.
Native range
Central America - Costa Rica and Panama.