La Campanella

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Onagraceae

Order

Myrtales

Genus

Fuchsia

Species

x hybrida

Description

A semi-woody perennial plant with vigorous growth and abundant branching. It is used, depending on the variety, in flower beds, borders, hanging baskets, planters and outdoor tubs, also in compositions with other ornamental species.

Fuchsia x hybrida, as its name implies, is a hybrid obtained by crossing different species belonging to the same botanical genus, among them Fuchsia magellanica, native to South America, and Fuchsia fulgens, native to Mexico. The varieties known today, around 15,000, differ in their habit as well as in the size and colour of their flowers, which vary greatly in colour, even with intermediate shades.

Varietal description

Plant suitable for use on trays and baskets but also in flowerbeds. Very floriferous in spring and summer. It has very distinctive bell-shaped flowers. If sheltered it can withstand not too severe cold.

curiosity and special features

The generic epithet was bestowed by C. Plumier in honour of the German physician and botanist L. Fuchs nicknamed Fuchsius; it is also said that in ancient times, in some geographical areas of origin, women made up their eyelids with blue pollen extracted from the flowers of fuchsia plants.

Origin and Diffusion

Fuchsias, native to Central and South America, were so named in honour of the German physician L. Fuchs, author of many books on botany; they were introduced to Europe at the end of the 18th century.

From the middle to the end of the 19th century, the use of fuchsia spread widely in England, arousing great interest among hybridisers who also began to create new, colourful varieties. Its use later developed also in the rest of Europe and the United States. Even today, it is still one of the most widely used ornamental plants for windowsills, flower beds and borders, where it provides scenic effects with its flowers grouped in particular terminal panicle-like hanging inflorescences. The hybridisation process has been intensified in recent years in order to obtain varieties with abundant branching, greater resistance to phytopathological problems as well as early and continuous flowering with brilliant colours that do not fade when exposed to sun and heat.

Flower size

The flower, grouped in a showy inflorescence, is singularly small.

Leaf

Leaf has an oblong lamina.

Flowering period

The flowering period lasts from early spring to late autumn for a duration of 90 to 120 days during which you can enjoy its scenic inflorescences.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence raceme or cluster.

Leaf color

Solid colours.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.3 to 0.5 m, depending on the developed habit; ideal for creating mixed compositions with other ornamentals, obtaining landscape perspective views.

Lifespan

Perennial plant.

Suggested planting locations

It is an excellent solution for adding a vivid and elegant colour accent to green spaces such as balconies, rock gardens, borders, planters

Stem/stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in form, small in size, with bi-coloured petals. It is arranged in raceme or cluster inflorescences of medium size. It flowers from early spring to late autumn, with a flowering period of between 90 and 120 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Medium to vigorous Growth, regular and well-proportioned.

Plant habit

The habit is drooping, ensuring a wide versatility of use.

branching

Abundant branching gives the plant a well-tended habitus with dense Leaf and Flower.

pH

The optimal pH values of the soil or substrate range from sub-acidic to neutral, between 5.0 and 7.0.

soil preparation

Before transplanting, dig 20/30 cm deep by removing any weeds and bulky stones, continue by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser and, if the soil is too compact, add sand or peat to make it lighter and well draining. Finally, break up the coarsest clods by hoeing to help bury the fertiliser, and carefully level the surface.

sun exposure

Half and full Sun exposures offer the best results in vegetative development and flowering.

Ideal climate and temperature

The biological temperature is between 5 and 35 °C. The ideal temperature is between 10 and 20 °C, thus corresponding to temperate climates.

Use

Due to its bearing and spectacular flowering, it is widely used in
Ornamental

Hardiness

Variety of medium hardiness.

Soil/medium

It prefers light, mainly peaty and well-draining soil; for use in a planter or balcony, a substrate for spring plants containing peat and perlite is recommended.

Maintenance

An easy-to-grow and easy-to-maintain plant, it requires little management care and an overall low level of commitment.

cultivation tips

For best results in vegetative growth and flowering, consider the following cultivation aspects:

With little light the plants do not flower Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Composition

Harmonious compositions canbe created with other ornamental species with different flower heights and colour shades such as Anemone, Begonia x hybrida, Begonia tuberhybrida, Heuchera sanguinea.

planting

For planting in the garden, apply an average density of 5 plants per square metre in order to ensure the proper development of each specimen and thus obtain a compact and highly decorative overall composition; it is also recommended not to sink the lump completely and to avoid water stagnation.

Reproduction/Propagation

Propagation is by herbaceous apical cutting.

Irrigation

Use rainwater, or alternatively aqueduct water with an optimal sub-acidic pH, either manually or by irrigation. When transplanting, assist the seedling in the new site by keeping it at a constant humidity but without overdoing it. Afterwards keep the soil or substrate moist by avoiding waterlogging, which is harmful to the root system. Do not water the foliage directly from above to prevent the development of phytopathologies and possible breakage of the vegetation.

Fertilization

During pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out basic fertilisation by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser. Following proper post-transplant settlement, during the spring-summer period, apply a specific liquid fertiliser for ornamental plants to the Soil/medium at the foot of the plant, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water, without exceeding the doses and frequency.

Pet friendly

Toxicity to pets not known; consider the specific case and consult with your veterinarian in case of ingestion.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Human toxicity

Toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

advise 1

Avoid over-watering and waterlogging, and a full southern sun exposure.