Black To The Fuchsia

First discovered in the mountains of Santo Domingo by the monk and botanist Pere Charles Plumier, it was named after Leonhart Fuchs, a German Doctor and Botanist. Plumier first mentioned the fuchsia in his book Nova Plantarum Americanarum Genera published in Paris in 1703. He gave it the name fuchsia triphylla flore coccineo.

Nurseryman James Lee started selling f. coccinea in 1793 and its popularity started to grow, hybrids between the species began to appear and cultivation of new varieties gained momentum. It reached the height of its popularity during the Victorian era when many of the great houses in Britain contained large collections. Popularity declined during World War 1 as glasshouses were taken over for more useful crops, mainly tomatoes. Gradually from the 1930’s interest was revived and today the fuchsia has become popular again.

Its versatility and colour range make it a fantastic plant to experiment with. Try bonsai, growing as a standard, espalier, pyramid, hedge or shrub. Pick a colour - red, white, pink, purple, splashed, streaked or spotted and bear in mind that from one small group of species we now have over 10,000 different varieties. You have to agree that the fuchsia is a truly amazing plant!

ANDRE LE NOSTRE A beautiful double flower of cerise and violet purple, raised in 1909 by Lemoine. Named after the French garden designer, who lived between 1613 - 1700, who was master gardener for Louis XIII.

BARON DE KETTELER A double flower of rich crimson and purple again raised by Lemoine in 1901. Named after Wilhelm Emmanuel Freiher von Ketteler, Bishop of Mainz, a German theologian and politician.

TAM O’SHANTER A double flower of flesh pink and dark purple introduced by the grower Mitchinson in 1984. Named after the Scottish hat worn by men, in turn named after the character in a poem of the same name by Robert Burns.

TORVILL AND DEAN A double flower of pale cerise and pure white, introduced by Pacey in 1985 and obviously named after the British, European, Olympic and World figure skating champions Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean.

WINSTON CHURCHILL A double flower of pink and lavender blue introduced by an American called Garson in 1942. Named after the British Prime Minister during his first term in office 1940 - 45. Churchill was also PM between 1951 - 1955.