Projo Garden Blog

If there were to be seven wonders of the world in flowers, I think fuchsia should be one of them. Fuchsia is just a fascinating, two-toned flower with 4 long sepals and 4 shorter and broader petals, accented by long, shiny stamens. There are many combinations of colors.

Fuchsia, in the family onagraceae, with over 100 species, was named after a German botanist, Leonard Fuchs (1501-1566)

6/2002

I still remember the first time I had a real close-up look at this unique, pendulous, eardrop-shaped flower; I was very much in awe and felt it was so unreal, almost too good to be true. I turned the flower upside down and looked at it from all angles.

Late last fall I planted a fuchsia in the front yard and enjoyed the flowers until the first frost.

9.21.08

I decided to transfer it into a small container, trim off some branches and bring it indoors. It survived the winter and has been thriving near my front steps since I replanted it outdoors in late June. The plant is now full of healthy buds and blooms.

8.3.09

8.12.09

This year I purchased 2 relatively new "black beauty" fuchsias in early July. The deep purple sepals looked almost black in certain lighting.

8.3.09

They were planted in partial sun, leaning against the lowest branches of the rhododendrons. I have been enjoying the blooms for several weeks and have begun to appreciate its dark purple edible, false berry, described as having subtle grape flavor, spiced with black pepper... according to Wikipedia.

I don't think I'm going to try it, but if and when I have the courage to do so, I will let you all know.

8.12.09

 Tags  fuchsia

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