Bolivian fuchsia
Fuchsia boliviana
Family: Onagraceae
What it is like
Fuchsia boliviana is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3.5 m (11ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, birds. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 3.5
Where it is found
Grows in cool mossy forests in the Andes at altitudes of 1800 - 3000 metres.
S. America - southern Peru, through Bolivia to northern Argentina.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
Andes, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia*, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Hawaii, Mexico, North America, Pacific, Peru*, South America*, USA, Venezuela,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Fruit - raw. A juicy berry, it has a sweetish taste. A pleasant flavour. The fruit can be up to 25mm long.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 0
How it is grown
Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil. Requires a good open humus-rich soil and a moist partially shady position in the summer. A fast-growing plant. Plants are not very hardy outdoors in Britain. They are susceptible to frost damage at temperatures of 0°c, though they can be grown outdoors in the summer, then lifted and potted up in the greenhouse for the winter. They can succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country if they are given the protection of a wall. A plant in a sheltered wall garden at Trengwainton in Cornwall was 2 metres tall and flowering very freely in August 1995, though there was little fruit set. Plants are evergreen so long as the temperature remains above 4°c. Plants are very susceptible to whitefly when grown in a greenhouse. This species is closely related to F. corymbiflora. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A good bee plant. This species has a long tubular flower and is pollinated by humming birds in the wild.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe though it can also be sown in the spring. Surface sow the seed in pots in a warm greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. Germination should take place in less than 6 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Inter-nodal cuttings of greenwood, 5 - 8cm long, May/June in a frame. Quick and easy, a high percentage take. Overwinter in the greenhouse for the first year and plant out after the last expected frosts. Inter-nodal cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very quick and easy, treat as greenwood cuttings above. Cuttings usually succeed at any time during the growing season.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; East Wall. By.
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 9-11
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist