The above hardy fuchsia was introduced to the garden many moons ago. It was the product of a cutting that I took from its parent when I was out on a short walk close to home. The shrub that I nipped a few impromptu cuttings from was on the public highway, so I had no qualms about taking some little pieces from it along with some from its red flowering neighbour. The red flowered one did not take but I was successful with the pink. The resulting shrub is now way too big for its present position and comes in from much verbal abuse from himself, as it dares to stretch on to the pathway and brush against himself. It's in for a severe chop or perhaps even a complete extraction. Earlier this spring I rooted a sucker which has now made good growth so we have a duplicate which will go elsewhere in the garden.
The fuchsia normally drops all its leaves overwinter but not so this year when the majority of them clung on. It does not usually flower until well into the summer and can be relied on for some late colour most years into October. This spring it started to bud in April and here we are before the middle of May when it is positively dipping with flowers. It's never looked as healthy. I've come to the conclusion that it must be the combination of the mild winter and all that wet stuff we had earlier in the year. Those conditions must have suited it down to the ground. The only negative niggle is I wonder what will happen by the time it usually flowers. Will it have all fizzled out by then or will it get a second wind. Are there any plants behaving oddly in your garden this spring?
It looks good Anna and I hope it gives you a second flush of blooms!
ReplyDeleteFuchsias are such great plants, they flower and flower so I'm sure it will hang on all year and give you plenty of blooms. I used to have lots of fuchsias in my garden but I don't have any at all now, I think I'll buy a couple of plants this year.
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty Anna, mine appear to be flowering early too, all except the bronze leaved one, anyway. Fuchsias are about the only thing I was successful with cuttings-wise until I got the propagator. I now seem to have added rosemary and anthemis, so I must try more. I'm sure your fuchsia will just carry on now, always assuming it isn't rudely wrested from its place ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely Fuchsia, it is flowering early. And if it didn' t get quite enough wet stuff early in the year, it is certainly getting a top up now.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna
ReplyDeleteMy fuschia is acting the same way as yours - it doesn't seem natural for it to be flowering already - the other thing that survived the winter are some annuals Echium that have survived and are still flowering from last summer. Crazy.
I have seen similar fuchsias flowering on my Mum's island, pretty enough to be re-introduced to people's gardens and flowering for ages. There's no telling with the weather these days so just enjoy it while it's flowering!
ReplyDeleteHope it does flower for you again as it's so pretty. Quite a stylish shade of pink. My Mum has hardy fuschias that also flower until the first frosts. I wouldn't dare planting one here even though we see them in garden centres. I think the frosts would be too harsh. Having said that, we had such a mild winter, and some of my plants have been flowering extremely early too. Strangely enough, the roses are still running to their normal schedule though!
ReplyDeleteI have some plants which flowered later than in previous years. My dicentra is only just flowering but it has flowered in March before. My geraniums seem late this year with no signs of flowers yet. It's odd how despite the mild winter many plants don't seem to have flowered any earlier. I do love the colour of your fuchsia. Not normally a fan but there is something very delicate about your variety.
ReplyDeleteThe fuchsias that I forgot to prune back are flowering now but the others will be flowering soon. Hardy fuchsias are such good shrubs as they flower for such a long time, right through to the first frosts.
ReplyDeleteAt least the Fuchsia is dripping with flowers rather than rain :-)
ReplyDeleteMy hubby also does't like to be brushed by plants ;). Lovely pink...guess it'll just flower for longer this year.
ReplyDelete