Fuchsia procumbens
Fuchsia (named after Leonhard Fuchs, a 16th century German botanist) is a genus of over 100 species of shrubs and small trees. Although there are four New Zealand native species (colensoi, excorticata, perscandens and procumbens) and one from Tahiti, the vast bulk of the genus occurs in Central and South America.
Think of fuchsias and chances are the fancy garden hybrids come to mind first. Showy as they are, it is not difficult to see they are related to wild species such as Fuchsia magellanica, Fuchsia denticulata and Fuchsia triphylla.
Some species, however, are less easy to distinguish. Our common native tree fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata) has fuchsia-like flowers, though it can be hard to see the connection with the garden plants when it is not in bloom. But the likes of Fuchsia arborescens from Central America, with its panicles of tiny flowers, scarcely matches the common idea of a fuchsia.
The most widely grown of New Zealand's native species is Fuchsia procumbens and it too is quite unlike the garden cultivars. It is a low spreading plant with small rounded leaves and can be very hard to pick as a fuchsia until it flowers. Indeed, my initial experience of the plant was with cultivated specimens and I have to admit that I didn't immediately recognise wild plants when I first saw them.
This species was discovered in Northland in 1834 by Richard Cunningham. (some authorities call him Robert; in any case he should not be confused with his better known brother Allan.) However, it wasn't introduced into Europe until 40 years later in 1874. It has at times also been known as Fuchsia prostrata and Fuchsia kirkii.
The species occurs naturally in the north of the North Island down to northern Coromandel, often in coastal areas, and is now endangered in the wild. Though wild specimens can spread to several metres wide, cultivated plants are usually quite compact.
The flowers, which appear from mid to late spring are sometimes hard to see among the dense, sprawling foliage. The blooms are not the usual fuchsia colours - green and yellow, not red and purple - and most unusually, they face upwards rather than being pendulous. The blue pollen-tipped anthers are also very distinctive.
Upward facing flowers are scarcely surprising in a plant that grows so close to the ground. Nevertheless it is a feature that hybridisers have long been trying, with limited success, to breed into garden hybrids.
The real feature, and the reason why Fuchsia procumbens is grown by enthusiasts world-wide, is the berries that follow the flower. All fuchsias bear berries, but none can match the fruit of Fuchsia procumbens. While the bright red berries of wild plants are scarcely larger than redcurrants, cultivated plants may have fruit the size of small plums. The fruit has a grape-or plum-like bloom and is particularly showy because it is carried on top the foliage, not hanging below it. Fuchsia procumbens is a plant that likes to show off its wares.
This little trailing plant makes a superb hanging basket specimen and is very easy to grow. Despite its northerly natural distribution, it tolerates frosts and even withstands some drought. But strangely enough it is one of those New Zealand natives that is better know abroad than at home. British and American growers wouldn't be without it, but how often do you see a good specimen in a local garden?
I am a garden book author and horticultural photographer based in Christchurch, New Zealand. I run a stock photo library called Country, Farm and Garden (http://www.cfgphoto.com). This article may be re-published provided this information is published with it and is clearly visible.
 Google News Updated : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:51:58 GMT South Texas begins cleanup after Hurricane Dolly - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - HARLINGEN, Texas (AP) - Residents across south Texas slogged through knee-deep muddy waters, tiptoed around downed power lines and dug through debris Thursday, but were thankful that Hurricane Dolly didn't pack the wallop they had feared. Video: Tropical Storm Dolly Causes Flood Worries Dolly weakens, pushes inland Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:21:14 GMT Would UN Security Council Postpone Any Prosecution of Sudanese Leader? - Voice of America
Voice of America - By Joe De Capua As the International Criminal Court (ICC) considers whether to issue arrest warrants for Sudanese President al-Bashir, some are calling on the UN Security Council to block the action. Sudan's Beshir pledges peace as he leaves Darfur Jordan's lower house opposes charges against Sudanese president Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:30:10 GMT FOX News Poll: No Bounce for Obama From Overseas Trip - FOXNews
FOXNews - By Dana Blanton The significant news coverage Barack Obama is receiving on his foreign trip has not translated into a bounce in his numbers, a just-released FOX News poll shows. Wanted: 2 million poll workers for November  Comment by Leonard Steinhorn Prof, School of Communication, American UniversityPubl.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:24:50 GMT Swimmer’s Positive Test Puts Olympic Berth Doubt - New York Times
New York Times - By KAREN CROUSE The swimmer Jessica Hardy has not been penalized for a doping offense despite published reports that she tested positive for a banned substance. Video: Source:Hardy Tests Positive for Banned Substance Sequence doesn't make Sense Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:21:30 GMT Ford Has $8.7 Billion Loss, Shifts Away From Trucks (Update4) - Bloomberg Bloomberg - By Bill Koenig July 24 (Bloomberg) -- Ford Motor Co., the world's third- biggest automaker, posted a record quarterly loss of $8.7 billion and accelerated a conversion to fuel-efficient vehicles to wean itself from money-losing trucks. Ford's Worst Quarter Ever Ford Posts Loss of $8.7 Billion on Asset Woes Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:07:48 GMT Arizona reports first West Nile death of 2008 - Bizjournals.com
Bizjournals.com - Arizona has reported its first death from the West Nile virus this year. It also is the first West Nile death in the US this year. First bird in Nassau tests positive for West Nile Fighting West Nile Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:45:00 GMT Health Buzz: A $500 million Antismoking Campaign and Other Health News - U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report - Billionaires Bill Gates and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced yesterday that they'll contribute a combined $500 million to a worldwide antismoking campaign, the New York Times reports. Video: Gates, Bloomberg Pool Riches to Fight Smoking The $500 million war on smoking Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:43:30 GMT Increase Search Engine Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... You will know that if you have spent at least... Read More The design of your garden has an amazing affect on... Read More If you missed the springtime window of opportunity to divide... Read More If you are like most of us, there are two... Read More Hydroponics gardening is the perfect solution for anybody who wants... Read More I went out to feed the birds this morning -... Read More Roses are one of natures most beautiful and splendid gifts.... Read More The number one, most asked question that I receive about... Read More Roses are an old standby for any garden and one... Read More Do you want to add something to your outdoor space... Read More Building your own water works system is quite simple and... Read More Do you love to cook outdoors but end up having... Read More The easiest way to build a shed in the backyard... Read More When spring comes and the ground is thawed, it is... Read More Tropical flowers make an exciting change from the more traditional... Read More Garden thyme, fresh or dried, alone or combined with parsley... Read More A wild flower garden, just like any garden you wish... Read More If you live in an apartment or town home, you... Read More For many people, it's never been a question of whether... Read More Iris flowers always bring memories of mom to mind. Let... Read More One of the best ways to bring together the many... Read More Outdoor furniture constructed with teak wood is a favorite among... Read More Flowers can be an integral part of cooking. While most... Read More Today is Thursday the 23rd of June and we're almost... Read More When you hear the term "Zen Garden" the picture conjured... Read More
Adsense
websites
Science Cant Explain Everything!
Five Tips For Garden Sanctuaries
5 Simple Steps To Dividing Your Hardy Water Lilies
A Storage Bench Provides Much Needed Outdoor Space
Want a Garden, But Don?t have Enough Dirt Or Space? Hydroponics Gardening Is The Answer!
Growing Great Asparagus
A Beautiful Rose Is Natures Gift
How To Build A Waterfall
Planting Roses In Your Garden
Teak Planters - Accent Your Outdoor Space with One
Homemade Hydroponics System Plan
Teak Patio Table - Why You Need One
How to Build a Shed
Tips on How to Plant Roses
Caring For Tropical And Exotic Flowers
Thyme: The Herb of Courage
Wild Flower Garden - Make Amends...Your Plants Will Love It
The Container Vegetable Garden
External vs. Submersible Pumps. Which One Should You Use?
Iris Flowers Remind Me Of Mom!
Why Teak Coffee Tables Are Essential For Your Outdoor Space
Teak Adirondack Chairs
Edible Flowers in Your Garden
Halfway Through Summer - Are We Having Fun Yet
How to Create a Zen Garden
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Sleeping Beauties: Porches For Dreaming
There's something magical about sleeping outside, drinking in the night... Read More
10 Tips to Care for Your Antique Ceramics
To care for your antique ceramics you need a gentle... Read More
Unique Flowers make a memorable gift!
Think "outside of the box" when sending your next floral... Read More
The Design Principle of Unity in Gardening and Landscaping
A principle of all art is unity. This means that... Read More
10 Tips for Successful Rose Planting
Planting roses isn't actually complicated, as long as you have... Read More
Agio Patio Furniture
The fresh air of the early spring solstice and the... Read More
Gardening for Kids
Children are continually bombarded with advertising for fast food and... Read More
What You Should Know About Miniature Roses
Miniature roses are exactly what they sound like. They have... Read More
Fall Garden Planning - Garden Plans for Next Spring and Ordering by Mail
It's August, the weather has cooled a bit here and... Read More
Gardening Vertically: Fad, Emerging Frontier or Long-Overlooked Art Form
Sure, it makes sense that there's a buzz about vertical... Read More
Ladybugs, Ladybugs, Come to My Garden
Ladybugs, also called lady beetles or ladybirds, can be a... Read More
Tips on How to Plant Roses
When spring comes and the ground is thawed, it is... Read More
My Spring Bulbs Wont Bloom - Why?
You can hear the wailing from here. "Why aren't my... Read More
Plant A Simple Tea Garden
Materials Needed 1 decorative clay or metal planter 1 package... Read More
Are There Really Black Roses?
Throughout the course of time, black roses have conjured... Read More
5 Simple Steps to Care For Your Push Reel Mower
Though most Push Reel Mowers made today are durable, they... Read More
The Basics Of Pruning
The technique of pruning varies with the type of rose... Read More
How to Raise House Plants from Seeds Easily
The principal house plants which are easy to raise by... Read More
Planting Roses
The art of planting roses doesn't have to be a... Read More
Flowers That Beautify Your Home and Garden
To help gardeners choose flowers, various systems for rating hardiness... Read More
Orchid Care - What The Leaves Tell Us
Orchid Care Leaves Tell Us About Orchid HealthOver the past... Read More
Rose Meanings Explained
Roses are the traditional gift given on Valentines Day, but... Read More
Choosing the Perfect Landscape Painting
Landscape paintings are a beautiful way to spruce up the... Read More
Orchid Care What The Flower Tells
In Orchid Care The Flower Will Tell You About Some... Read More
A Quick Overview of Outdoor Hot Tubs
There is nothing quite as relaxing as a leisurely evening... Read More
Landscaping & Gardening |