The Royal Horticultural Society

RHS Bulletins

The RHS is the UKs leading gardening charity dedicated to

advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening. Its
charitable work includes providing expert advice and
information, advancing horticulture, training the next
generation of gardeners, helping school children learn
about plants, and conducting research into plants, pests
and environmental issues affecting gardeners. The RHS
AGM plant trial scheme is an important part of this work.

Canna: September 2003

The RHS receives no government grants and for every

pound received from members subscriptions we need to
raise more than twice as much again to fund our charitable
work. We also rely on donations and sponsorship to
supplement income from our garden operations, flower
shows, shops and plant centres.

Potentilla (shrubby): July 2002

RHS Plant Trials

With so many different types of gardener and so many
different cultivars available to them in each group of
plants, it is important that a system of recommendation is
in place to help with selection at point of sale. These
recommendations must be clear and reliable to ensure that
of the thousands of plants available in the UK, a
proportion are known to be excellent garden plants. The
RHS provides this information through its extensive
programme of plant trials held at RHS gardens in the UK.
The RHS Award of Garden Merit
signifies the selection
of the best cultivar for general garden use.

Daisies (yellow perennial): September 2004

Delphinium: June 2004
Geraniums (hardy) Stage 1: June 2005
Hyacinthaceae (little blue bulbs): September 2005
Lavenders (hardy): July 2003
Miscanthus: October 2004
Potatoes (salad): November 2004
Saxifrages (silver): May 2005
Spiraea japonica (with coloured leaves): November
2003

RHS Plant Trials and Awards

These bulletins can be viewed at a larger

size on the RHS Website:
www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials_bulletins.asp

RHS plant trials serve the professional gardener who wants

to know the range of plants available, including the latest
breeding and selection programmes, with their distinctive
characteristics and provenance.They also serve the amateur
who wants to know which plants will grow and perform
well in a particular garden situation.
The RHS has an unrivalled resource of knowledge and
expertise and is therefore best placed to conduct plant
trials for the UK gardening market.

Trials Office

RHS Herbarium
The RHS Herbarium keeps a record of trial cultivars as dried
specimens with detailed descriptions and photographic
images. This forms an important reference for the
horticultural industry. Any new cultivars are highlighted
and a Standard specimen is preserved and described.
The RHS Herbarium, stored at RHS Garden Wisley, is the
largest active horticultural herbarium in the world. At
present the collection contains about 80,000 herbarium
specimens and over 30,000 images of plants. Material is
actively collected from a wide spectrum of sources
including RHS plant trials.

RHS Garden
Wisley
Woking
Surrey GU23 6QB
e-mail: trials@rhs.org.uk

Hardy Fuchsias
Linda Jones
Trials Officer, RHS Garden Wisley

www.rhs.org.uk/trials
Reg charity no. 222879
All text Copyright RHS 2005
Images Copyright RHS or photographer indicated
Illustration Copyright Niki Simpson
ISSN: 1477-9153 (print)

Diana M Miller
Keeper of the RHS Herbarium, RHS Garden Wisley
Bulletin Number 12
December 2005

ISSN: 1447-9161 (online)

www.rhs.org.uk

RHS Trial of Hardy Fuchsias

Staging of the trial

Aims and Objectives:

to ascertain hardiness and to try to define a hardy

fuchsia

to assess and judge a range of hardy species and cultivars

in order to recommend the Award of Garden Merit
to those considered excellent for garden decoration

to exchange information with other horticultural

organisations and fuchsia growers

to determine correct nomenclature

to make a detailed record, including descriptions,

images and specimens of all entries in the trial, to be
kept in the RHS Herbarium as an archival reference

Which fuchsias are hardy?

RHS hardiness ratings
H3 = hardy outside in some regions or particular situations
H4 = fully hardy
H3-4 = hardy outside in most regions
In order to decide which fuchsia cultivars could properly
be described as hardy several sources were consulted.
The RHS holds records of three previous trials of hardy
fuchsias that ran from 1928-31, 1961-63 and 1975-78 and
provide valuable details of cultivars which have historically
proved hardy in Britain.
The British Fuchsia Society keeps a list of hardy fuchsias,
numbering around 140 cultivars, that are eligible for
exhibiting in that class. To obtain this rating the BFS
requires that a cultivar has survived five consecutive
winters outside in the UK.
Trials of fuchsias held in Germany and The Netherlands
offered information about which cultivars may be
considered hardy in the colder but drier winters on the
continent. These include such plants as Brutus, Display,
Front cover: Fuchsia David (Photo Laura Pearce)

cultivation in the early 19th century and has been bred

with less hardy species such as F. coccinea, F. boliviana and
F. splendens. It is interesting to note that many of the
cultivars rasied over 100 years ago are still popular and
reliable plants found in gardens today.

Characteristics of hardy fuchsias

Dollar Prinzessin, Genii, Margaret Brown, Mrs Popple,

Rose of Castile Improved and Tom Thumb, which have
also proved effective plants in British gardens, each having
received the Award of Garden Merit
.
In order to utilise the knowledge of the leading fuchsia
growers throughout the UK, a questionnaire was sent to
National Plant Collection holders, head gardeners and
specialist nurseries requesting their observations on
hardiness and performance. There was a good response
and their valuable input has been included in the findings
of this bulletin.
A study of these sources revealed a great range of views and
experience. Not one cultivar gained a full hardiness rating
from all contributors and it became clear that there were
contradictory opinions as to the hardiness of any
particular cultivar. Possibly because of the diversity of the
parentage of hardy fuchsias it is difficult to be prescriptive
to the group as a whole concerning cultivation and
minimum temperature requirements. The Woody Plant
Trials Subcommittee therefore concluded that all previous
hardiness ratings given to the fuchsias in this bulletin
should be adjusted to H3-4. This decision will require
ratification at the next Award of Garden Merit Review in
2012.

The hardy fuchsias of cultivation are deciduous to

evergreen shrubs generally small, though F. magellanica will
grow to 3m in favoured conditions. The leaves vary in size
and colour, some being dark green, others yellow-green and
others with a variegated cream or white margin. The
flowers, usually pendulous and borne on slender pedicels,
have a tube producing nectar in the base which, in the
wild, attracts pollinating humming birds. The tube splits
into 4 lobes which may be spreading to strongly reflexed
(bent back). The 4 petals, usually differing in colour from
the calyx, are rolled together or overlapping forming a
cylinder or bell-shape. In the double or semi-double
cultivars the petal number may be increased to more than
8. With few exceptions, the 8 stamens are longer than the
petals and protrude, as does the style which may
considerably exceed the stamens. The range of petal and
sepal colour combinations, the length of the tube, the
number of petals and the relative size of all the plant parts
differentiate the vast selection of plants available.

Parts of a Fuchsia flower

New Award of Garden Merit (AGM)

(H3-4) 2005
Baby Blue Eyes
Bernisser Hardy
Conspicua
Corallina

F. magellanica
Thompsonii
Mercurius
Saturnus

Existing Award of Garden Merit

* Indicates a recommendation that after this trial their AGM
status should be reviewed in 2012 due to their having been
superseded by improved cultvars, or in some other way no
longer fulfilling the criteria of the award.
Achievement*
Alice Hoffman
Alison Patricia
Army Nurse
Brutus
Chillerton
Beauty
Dark Eyes*
Display*
Doctor Foster
Dollar Prinzessin
Empress of
Prussia
Flash
Foxgrove Wood*

Eva Boerg
F. hatschbachii
Henning Becker
Jenny Sorenson

ovary
containing
the ovules

David
Howletts Hardy
John E. Caunt
F. magellanica var.
gracilis Aurea

Garden News
Genii
Hawkshead
Heidi Ann*
Herald*
Jomam
Lady Thumb
Lena
Liebriez
Madame
Cornlissen*
F. magellanica var.
gracilis
F. magellanica var.
gracilis Variegata*

Margaret*
Margaret Brown
Mrs Popple
Mrs W.P. Wood*
Phyllis
Prosperity*
Riccartonii
Rose of Castile
Improved
Rufus*
Snowcap*
Son of Thumb
Tom Thumb
White Pixie*

Others worth considering

pedicel or
flower stalk

The trial was first proposed by the RHS Woody Plant Trials
Committee in 1998 under the chairmanship of the late
John Bond. A list of proposed entries was drawn up with
the assistance of the National Plant Collections holder
Roger Gilbert of Silver Dale Nurseries. To widen the scope
of the results of the trial, the Royal Boskoop Horticultural
Society was invited to participate in a parallel trial in The
Netherlands. The main trials ground in Germany is in
Weihenstephan in Bavaria and hardy fuchsias were in their
trial programme so links with them were proposed. When
the trial at Wisley started to undergo difficulties with
dieback and plant deaths, the Committee decided to visit
the National Plant Collections at Leicester University and
RHS Harlow Carr in Yorkshire in order to fulfil their
objectives. Assessing the collections and drawing on the
experience and detailed records of the collection holders
allowed a greater range of plants to be considered.

4 sepals joined
at base to form
calyx tube

Lady Boothby
F. magellanica var.
molinae Sharpitor
Mephisto

Rhombifolia
Wharfedale

The Award of Garden Merit

To gain this award a plant must:

In this bulletin we have only included those fuchsias that

can normally be grown in the open all year round in most
areas of the UK.

calyx lobes

be excellent for ordinary garden use

be available

be of good constitution

History of garden fuchsias

be reasonably easy to grow

The genus Fuchsia contains about 100 species the great

majority of which grow wild in South and Central
America. Most species bear very distinctive scarlet,
pendulous flowers which are adapted to pollination by
humming birds. The genus was named after Leonhart
Fuchs, a German herbalist and botanical artist who lived in
the early sixteenth century.

be reasonably resistant to pests and diseases

be essentially stable in form and colour

Thousands of cultivars have been raised from selections

and crosses involving around a dozen species. The
majority of hardy fuchsias are derived from crosses
including F. magellanica which was introduced to

RHS Plant Trials and Awards

4 petals (corolla)

filament
anther
style

stamen

Judging
The trial was assessed for the Award of Garden Merit by the
Woody Plant Trials Subcommittee using the following criteria:
hardiness; habit; impact; vigour (health); floriferousness; foliage

Records
stigma

Flowering time; flower to leaf ratio; height and spread; soil level
minimum temperature; time and duration of frost

Hardy Fuchsias

New Award of Garden Merit descriptions

Colour codes were taken using the RHS Colour Chart. The fourth edition (2001) is available from RHSE Mail Order,
Wisley, Surrey GU23 6QB. Measurements were taken in 2004 when the plants were about 3 years old.
Fuchsia Baby Blue Eyes
AGM H3-4 2005

Fuchsia Conspicua
AGM H3-4 2005

Raised by Plummer USA in 1952.

Sent by Little Brook Fuchsias.

Raised by G Smith in the UK in

1863. Sent by Little Brook Fuchsias

Plant erect. Height 90cm, spread

110cm. Stems flushed red. Leaves in
pairs or whorls of 3, dull green,
ovate with acute tip, slightly
dentate, 3cm long, 1.5cm wide,
midrib green; petiole length 0.6cm
flushed red. Flowers drooping
(rather than pendent), single, most
frequently paired in leaf axils;
peduncle 3cm long; calyx tube to
1cm, lobes 2cm long, 0.6cm wide,
red (46B), spreading, becoming
strongly reflexed, petals 1.2cm long,
1.4cm wide, purple close to but
redder than (79B), at base pinkishred, redder than (64C); stamens
protruding 2cm from petal tip, style
and stigma protruding 2.5cm from
petal tip.

Plant erect and bushy. Height 65cm,

spread 70cm. Stems deep pink
(59A). Leaves in whorls of 3, dull
green, ovate to oval with acute tip,
margin entire very lightly serrate, to
4.5cm long, to 3cm wide, midrib
deep pink (59A/B), petiole to 1cm
long. Flowers single (sometimes
semi-double), paired, peduncle to
4cm, calyx tube 0.8cm long, lobes
to 3.2cm long, to 0.9cm wide, shiny
varnished scarlet (45B), reverse paler
(46C), strongly reflexed, petals to
1.8cm long, to 1.9cm wide, white
(155D) veined red (53BB/C);
stamens protruding to 1.5cm from
petal tip, style and stigma
protruding to 3cm from petal tip.

Masses of flowers at height of season;

distinctive violet blue corolla, small
leaves and upright habit. Good shrub
for the garden; outstanding.

Fuchsia Bernisser Hardy

AGM H3-4 2005
Raised by Bas Weeda in The
Netherlands in 1985. Sent by The
Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society.
Plant erect to spreading. Height
100cm, spread 125cm. Stems red.
Leaves in whorls of 3, slightly glossy
green, lanceolate with acute tip,
very slightly dentate, to 4cm long,
to 1.5cm wide, midrib green.
Flowers single, paired in leaf axils,
peduncle to 1.5cm, calyx tube to
1.7cm, lobes 1.5cm long, 0.5cm
wide, glossy scarlet, pinker than
(45B), spreading, petals to 1.4cm
long, to 1.1cm wide, vivid reddishpurple, redder than (71B); stamens
just protruding to 0.5cm from petal
tip, style and stigma protruding to
1.3cm from petal tip.
Very distinct, shows flowers well; good
flower to leaf ratio; flowering
continuously right down the long stem;
bees like it. Small narrow glossy leaves;
masses of smallish flowers; excellent
plant.

Deep green leaves with veins flushed

pink, young foliage has bronze tinge; a
marked contrast between the carmine
calyx and white skirt.

Plant low and spreading. Height

40cm, spread 150cm. Stems
burgundy red. Leaves in whorls of 3,
dull green, flushed pink at base and
on veins, oval, with wavy, very
slightly dentate margins, to 5cm long,
to 2cm wide, midrib red. Flowers
single, paired in leaf axils therefore 6
flowers to one whorl of leaves,
peduncle red to 3cm long; calyx tube
to 1.5cm long, lobes 2.5cm long,
0.5cm wide, scarlet red (46B/C),
slightly spreading, petals 1.5cm long,
1.5cm wide, purple (79B) becoming
red (45B) at base; stamens protruding
to 2cm from petal tip and style
protruding to 3cm from petal tip.

Fuchsia John E. Caunt

AGM H3-4 2005

Raised by W P Wood in 1937. Sent

by Burnside Fuchsias.

Raised in the UK in 1994. Sent by

Kathleen Muncaster Fuchsias.

Plant erect and bushy. Height 90cm,

spread 100cm. Stems purplish-red
(185C) at tips. Leaves in whorls of 3,
dull green (137A), elliptic to
lanceolate with acute tip, margins
entire, to 3cm long, to 1.2cm wide,
midrib cream. Flowers single, in leaf
axils, peduncle 1.5cm long, calyx
tube 0.6cm, lobes 1.6cm long, 0.60.7cm wide, vivid cerise red (47B)
spreading, petals 0.6cm long, 0.6cm
wide, rich purple (86A); stamens
protruding 0.5cm from petal tip,
style and stigma protruding to
1.5cm from petal tip.

Plant spreading, quite compact and

low growing. Height 60cm, spread
100cm. Stems lime-green flushed
pale pink. Leaves opposite, bright
green, ovate with acute tip, margins
very lightly serrated, to 5cm long,
to 3cm wide, midrib green. Flowers
single, paired in leaf axils, peduncle
to 5cm long, calyx tube to 1.7cm
bright light red (52A), lobes to
3.4cm long, to 1cm wide, pinkishred (53C/D), strongly reflexed at
tips, petals to 2.5cm long, to 2.4cm
wide, rose pink (66C) edged bright
pinkish-red (57A) veined a paler
more orangey-pink (58C); stamens
protruding to 2cm from petal tip,
style and stigma protruding to
3.5cm from petal tip.

Neat healthy shrub, distinctive and

shapely. The very small red flowers
smother the plant and are
complimented by delicate, tiny leaves.
Fuchsia Howletts Hardy
AGM H3-4 2005

BP

Fuchsia Corallina
AGM H3-4 2005
Raised by Pince in the UK in 1844.
Sent by Leicester University Botanic
Garden; Balmoral Estate and Silver
Dale Nurseries.

Fuchsia David
AGM H3-4 2005

JH

Distinct, floriferous, flowers produced

to tips of stems, not damaged by rain.

Raised by C Howlett in the UK in

the early 1950s. Sent by Silver Dale
Nurseries.

F. magellanica var. gracilis Aurea

AGM H3-4 2005

Plant low mound. Height 40cm,

spread 60cm. Stems very dark
reddish-purple (187A/B). Leaves
opposite, a yellowish-mid-green
(137C), midrib deep red (187C),
very slightly dentate, 7cm long,
3cm wide. Flowers single, peduncle
5cm long, calyx tube 1cm long,
lobes 1.5cm long, 0.6cm wide,
scarlet (46B/C) spreading to
reflexed; petals bright purple veined
red at base, fading to reddish-purple
(64A).

Plant compact mound. Height

70cm, spread 120cm. Stems rich
red. Leaves opposite to whorls of 3,
golden yellow to green, ovate with
acute tip, slightly dentate, 4cm
long, 2cm wide, midrib red. Flowers
single, paired in leaf axils, peduncle
3.5cm long, calyx tube to 1cm long,
lobes 2cm long, 0.5cm wide, scarlet
close to (46A), weakly spreading;
petals 1.1cm long, 1cm wide, dark
purple (83A) pinky-red (64B) at
base; stamens protruding to 2cm
from petal tip, style and stigma
protruding to 3cm from petal tip.

The large, early flowers that last

through the season and the bronzed
foliage make this vigorous plant worthy
of the AGM. Considered hardy in The
Netherlands.

Sent by Balmoral Estate.

This well-known plant is grown mainly

for the golden yellow leaves that make
it especially useful for brightening up a
dull corner. As the foliage may be burnt
by very strong sunlight, it is best grown
in semi-shade.

A robust plant. The large dark leaves

and the scarlet and purple single
flowers produced in abundance, make
this cultivar worthy of the AGM. Can
be used to scramble up trees or shrubs.

RHS Plant Trials and Awards

Hardy Fuchsias

Existing Award of Garden Merit descriptions

F. magellanica Thompsonii
AGM H3-4 2005

Fuchsia Saturnus
AGM H3-4 2005

Raised by Thompson in the UK in

1840. Sent by Balmoral Estate,
Leicester University Botanic Garden,
Logan Botanic Garden and Silver
Dale Nurseries.

Raised by De Groot in The

Netherlands in 1970. Sent by The
Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society.

Plant erect sometimes spreading at

base. Height 150cm, spread more
than 100cm. Stems red. Leaves in
whorls of 3, dull green, ovate with
acute tip, slightly dentate, to 4cm
long, to 1.8cm wide, midrib red at
base. Flowers single, paired in leaf
axils, peduncle 4cm long, calyx tube
0.7cm long; lobes 2cm long, 0.4cm
wide, red, pinker than (53B),
spreading; petals to 1cm long, to
0.8cm wide, purple (83A) becoming
red (61B/C) towards base; stamens
protruding to 2.9cm from petal tip,
style and stigma to 3cm from petal
tip.
This cultivar is slightly shorter but stiffer
and more upright-growing compared to
other forms of F. magellanica, but will
also make a useful hedge. The slender
flowers on very long pedicels, although
small, are numerous and produced over
a long flowering period.

Plant low, spreading. Height 65cm,

spread 60cm. Stems red. Leaves
paired to whorls of 3, dull green,
ovate with acute tip, very slightly
dentate, to 3.5cm long, 2cm wide,
midrib green-red. Flowers single,
solitary in leaf axils, peduncle to
2cm long, calyx tube to 0.8cm long;
lobes to 3cm long, to 0.8cm wide,
bright deep pink (58B), spreading;
petals to 1.5cm long, to 1.7cm wide,
purplish-violet (81B); stamens
protruding to 1.5cm from petal tip,
style and stigma protruding to 2cm
from petal tip.
Distinctive, narrow, glossy leaves. Neat
compact mound. Good contrast
between vivid carmine pink calyx and
mauve corolla; flowers very numerous
on a dwarf plant. This was the most
popular among the public who visited
the RHS trial.

Fuchsia Mercurius
AGM H3 2005
Raised in The Netherlands by De
Groot in 1971. Sent by The Royal
Boskoop Horticultural Society.
Plant spreading to arching. Height
60cm, spread 120cm. Stems red.
Leaves opposite paired, glossy
green, ovate with acute tip, slightly
dentate, 3.5cm long, 2cm wide,
midrib red at base. Flowers single,
stiffly drooping, solitary in leaf
axils, peduncle 3.5cm long, calyx
tube to 1cm long; lobes 3.5cm long,
1.3cm wide, glossy red, bluer than
(45B), spreading becoming recurved
as flowers mature; petals 2cm long,
2.5cm wide, a purplish-red (74A);
stamens protruding to 2.5cm from
petal tip; style and stigma to 2.7cm
from petal tip.

Please note the hardiness ratings of these cultivars were given at the time of the earlier AGM reviews. In light of the findings
of the trial, the committee recommended that many of these ratings were inconsistent and that all should be given a
hardiness rating of H3-4 (i.e. between the ratings of fully hardy and hardy outside in some regions or particular situations).
This will be rectified at the next AGM Review in 2012. Measurements were taken in 2004 when the plants were 3 years old.
1

CG

Fuchsia Achievement (1)

AGM H4 1993
Raised by Melville in the UK in about
1886. Sent by Silver Dale Nurseries.
Low, spreading, bushy plant with leaves
of a golden hue. Height 45cm, spread
90cm. Flowers medium to large, single,
with a long cerise calyx tube and
narrow, strongly reflexed, red lobes,
some tipped with green; petals dark
purple becoming red at base with red
veins; stamens and style red. The
upright habit makes this a plant
suitable for a border but the flowers
are somewhat large for the plant size.
Fuchsia Alice Hoffman (2)
AGM H3-4 2002
Raised by Kiese in the early 1900s in
Germany. Sent by Silver Dale Nurseries.
A bushy, neat, round, floriferous plant
with bronze-tinged small leaves.
Height 50cm, spread 70cm. Flowers
semi-double with calyx tube and
spreading lobes rose pink; petals
white, veined red; stamens pink and
long-protruding style. Considered
hardy in the The Netherlands. Suitable
for small gardens.
Fuchsia Alison Patricia (3)
AGM H3 2002
Raised by Johns in the UK in 1990.
Sent by Kathleen Muncaster Fuchsias.
BP

A compact upright bushy plant.

Height 30cm, spread 35cm (on a 2
year old plant a late entry in the
trial). Flowers single, held initially
upright at tips of branches before
drooping as the flowers mature, with
dark pink calyx tube and pale pink
lobes; petals purplish-rose veined red;
stamens pink and style protruding.
Fuchsia Army Nurse (4)
AGM H4 1993
Raised by Hodges in the USA in 1947.
Sent by Leicester University Botanic
Garden.
A vigorous, upright, strong-growing
plant. Height 110cm, spread 140cm.
Flowers semi-double with deep carmine
pink calyx tube and lobes that are
strongly reflexed; petals a violet-blue,
flushed pink at base; stamens bright
pink and a very long-protruding style.
The good habit, very striking colour
and showy flowers make this a very
popular, easy-to-grow plant.
Considered hardy in The Netherlands.

red calyx tube and lobes that are

reflexed; petals purple tinged pink at
the base; stamens crimson and longprotruding style. A good stocky plant,
clean and tough. Considered hardy in
The Netherlands and Germany.
Fuchsia Chillerton Beauty (6)
AGM H3 1993
Raised in 1847 by Bass in the UK. Sent
by Little Brook Fuchsias, RHS Garden
Wisley and Silver Dale Nurseries.
A robust bushy shrub with reddish
stems. Height 90cm, spread 120cm.
Flowers single, with cream calyx tube,
sometimes flushed pale pink, lobes
spreading to horizontal, very pale
pink, flushed darker pink inside, often
tipped with green; petals violet to
purplish-pink; stamens pale pink and
very long-protruding style. Named
after Chillerton, Isle of Wight.
Considered hardy in The Netherlands.
Fuchsia Dark Eyes (7)
AGM H4 1993
Raised in the USA by Erickson in 1958.
Sent by Silver Dale Nurseries.

Fuchsia Brutus (5)

AGM H4 1993
Raised by Lemoine in France in 1897
Sent by Silver Dale Nurseries.
An upright bushy, early flowering
plant with bronze tipped foliage
flushed purple. Height 40cm, spread
80cm. Flowers single, with vivid cerise-

An upright, bushy plant. Height 35cm,

spread 60cm. Flowers double with a
short deep red to pink calyx tube and
lobes, that are incurved to spreading;
petals purple to violet-blue; stamens
and styles red, protruding. In the trial it
tended to hold onto the dead flowers.

BP

Foliage beautiful green with a distinct

sheen. The large single vibrant flowers,
wine red stems and vigorous domed
habit make this a very useful garden
plant.

RHS Plant Trials and Awards

Hardy Fuchsias

BP

BP

Fuchsia Empress of Prussia (11)

AGM H4 1993

Raised in the UK by Smith in 1881.

Sent by Little Brook Fuchsias.

Raised by Hoppe in the UK in 1868.

Sent by Little Brook Fuchsias.

A small shrub with dark foliage.

Height 40cm, spread 70cm. Flowers
single with reddish-pink short calyx
tube and strongly reflexed lobes; petals
rose-pink rather spreading; stamens
rose pink and long style protruding.
Considered hardy in The Netherlands
and Germany. Died in trial.

A strong-growing very floriferous plant

with reddish-purple stems and dark
green foliage. Height 40cm, spread
85cm. Flowers large, single with short
vivid red calyx tube and lobes that are
spreading; petals reddish-magenta
becoming paler at base; stamens and
style red, shortly protruding.
Considered hardy in The Netherlands.

Raised by Lemoine in France about

1899.
A bushy but rather low-spreading
plant. Flowers single, with scarlet calyx
tube and lobes that are reflexed; petals
purplish-red; stamens red and style
long-protruding. This cultivar is
considered to be one of the best hardy,
large-flowered, single cultivars.
Considered hardy in The Netherlands.
Not in trial.

Fuchsia Flash (12)

AGM H3-4 1993
Raised by Hazard and Hazard in the
USA in the 1930s. Sent by Breach Lane
Nursery.
A rather stiffly erect shrub with rather
pale foliage. Height 80cm, spread
110cm. Flowers on long pedicels,
single, with light red calyx tube and
lobes that are spreading; petals magenta
to purple; stamens and style red.
Considered hardy in The Netherlands.

Fuchsia Dollar Prinzessin (10)

AGM H4 1993

Fuchsia Foxgrove Wood (13)

AGM H3-4 2002

Raised by Kroger in Germany in 1910.

Sent by Waltons Fuchsias.

Raised by Ted Stiff in Felixstowe in 1993.

An upright bushy shrub with dark

foliage. Height 60cm, spread 70cm.
Flowers double with short cerise calyx
tube and lobes that are incurved,
spreading to horizontal; petals rich
purple becoming deep pink at the
base; stamens red exceeded by a very
long dark pink style. This plant is
frequently listed as Dollar Princess or
under a number of other orthographic
variants. Considered hardy in The
Netherlands and Germany.
BP

12

A bushy plant. Flowers single with

pink calyx tube and lobes that are
strongly reflexed; petals violet-blue.
Not in trial.
Fuchsia Garden News (14)
AGM H3-4 1993
Raised by Handley in the UK in 1978.
Sent by Potash Nursery
A low and spreading, very vigorous
plant with large leaves, up to four
flowers in each axil. Height 60cm,

CG

13

11

16

BP

Fuchsia Display (8)

AGM H4 1993

Fuchsia Doctor Foster (9)

AGM H4 2002

10

RHS Plant Trials and Awards

18

19

BP

spread 90cm (2 year old plants - a late

entry in the trial). Flowers very large,
double, with stout rose-pink calyx
tube and lobes that arch around
corolla; petals magenta-pink; stamens
white and long-protruding style.
Resembles some of the more tender
cultivars, was not hardy in trial but
has proved hardy in RHS Harlow Carr
and Leicester.
Fuchsia Genii (15)
AGM H4 1993
Raised by Reiter in the USA in about
1951. Sent by Felixstowe & District
Fuchsia Society, Jackdaws Field
Nursery, Kathleen Muncaster Fuchsias
and Silver Dale Nurseries.
An upright and bushy, free-flowering
shrub with small lime yellow leaves
and red shoots. Height 60cm, spread
90cm. Flowers small, single with vivid
red calyx tube and lobes that are
reflexed; petals deep purple; stamens
red and a very long red style. Proved
to be very popular with both the
committee and the public. It is one of
the best foliage plants and not known
to revert. Considered hardy in The
Netherlands and Germany.

BP

Fuchsia Heidi Ann (17)

AGM H3 1993

Fuchsia Lady Thumb (19)

AGM H3 1993

Fuchsia Madame Cornlissen (22)

AGM H4 1993

Raised by Mrs Smith in the UK in

1969. Sent by Dalesview, Logan
Botanic Garden, Kathleen Muncaster
Fuchsias and Pettets Nursery.

Raised by George Roe in 1966. Sent by

Little Brook Fuchsias.

Raised by Cornlissen in Belgium in

1860. Sent by Leicester University
Botanic Garden.

A compact rounded shrub with stems

flushed with pinkish purple and small
dark green leaves with red midribs.
Height 55cm, spread 70cm. Flowers
double, with a stout crimson-red calyx
tube and lobes that are incurved to
horizontal; petals bright lilac-veined
red. Stamens and long style pinkish-red.

Raised by Sankey in UK in 1887. Sent

by Silver Dale Nurseries.
An early and long-flowering, vigorous,
bushy plant with rather pale foliage
and red tinged stems. Flowers held
slightly stiffly, single with short red
calyx tube and lobes that are reflexed;
petals purple, veined red fading to a
reddish-purple; stamens and style red.
Died in trial.

Fuchsia Lena (20)

AGM H3 1993

A low-growing, spreading plant with

pale green foliage. Flowers semi-double
with pale pink calyx tube and lobes
that are reflexed and tipped with
green; petals magenta flushed with
pink at the base; stamens and style
pale pink. Similar to Eva Boerg which
has a greenish-white calyx tube,
pinkish-white calyx and more purple
corolla. Considered hardy in The
Netherlands. Not in trial.
Fuchsia Liebriez (21)
AGM H3-4 2002

Fuchsia Jomam
AGM H3 2002

Fuchsia Hawkshead (16)

AGM H3-4 2002

Raised by Hall in Newcastle-uponTyne, UK in 1984.

Raised by J Travis in the UK in 1962.

Sent by Logan Botanic Garden.

A rather small but bushy, upright

plant. Flowers single with a short rosepink calyx tube and lobes that are
reflexed and slightly twisted; corolla
rather bell-shaped; petals mauve,
veined with pink; stamens pale pink
and style white. Not in trial.

A robust plant with small bright green

leaves and attractive green flower
buds. Height 100cm, spread 110cm.
Flowers single, very small and slender
with white, flushed green, calyx tube
and lobes; white petals which may be
slightly flushed pale pink; stamens and
style white and protruding. Considered
hardy in The Netherlands.

A dwarf floriferous shrub with small

leaves. Height 25cm, spread 45cm.
Flowers small, semi-double, with bright
magenta calyx tube and lobes that are
spreading; petals white slightly veined
pink; stamens and style red, protruding.
Considered hardy in The Netherlands.

Raised by Bunney in the UK in about

1860.

Fuchsia Herald (18)

AGM H4 1993

BP

14

17

An erect but compact shrub with dark

green leaves which have a purplish
midrib. Height 80cm, spread 110cm.
Flowers semi-double with rich red
calyx tube and lobes that are
horizontal to reflexed; petals white
veined red; stamens and very long
style red. Similar to Conspicua,
which mostly bears single flowers and
in the trial shed its dead flowers more
readily. Considered hardy in The
Netherlands.
F. magellanica var. gracilis (23)
AGM H3 1993
Sent by RHS Garden Wisley.
A tall, vigorous, arching plant with
long spreading reddish branches and
leaves with red midrib. Height 140cm,
spread 170cm. Flowers single, slender,
with scarlet calyx tube and lobes that
are spreading; petals dark purple;
stamens and style red. This variety has
a more graceful habit and slightly
longer flowers than the species.

Raised by Kohene in Germany about

1874. Sent by Dalesview, Kathleen
Muncaster Fuchsias and Pettets
Nursery.
A compact, low-growing plant. The
small leaves, with red midrib, are
almost hidden by the flowers. Height
40cm, spread 55cm. Flowers semidouble with deep carmine-pink calyx
tube and horizontal lobes; petals
spreading, white flushed pale pink,
veined a deeper pink; stamens deep
pinkish-red and long-protruding style.

CG

15

20

21

22

Hardy Fuchsias

23

24

25

26

BP

F. magellanica var. gracilis

Variegata (24)
AGM H3 1993
Sent by Silver Dale Nurseries.
A graceful arching plant with dark red
stems. Its green leaves are edged in
cream, often flushed pink , with red
midrib. Height 60cm, spread 110cm.
Flowers slender, small, single with
bright red calyx tube and lobes that
are spreading; petals deep purple;
stamens and long style red. This very
old well-known cultivar is usually
grown as a foliage plant. However it is
prone to some reversion.
Fuchsia Margaret (25)
AGM H4 1993
Raised by W P Wood around 1940.
Sent by Felixstowe & District Fuchsia
Society.
A vigorous, upright, bushy plant.
Height 150cm, spread 160cm. Flowers
semi-double with bright red calyx
tube and lobes that are strongly
reflexed, some tipped with green;
petals deep violet, veined red, pinker
at the base; stamens and very long
style purplish-red. This cultivar has a
good clean colour but in the trial did
not flower consistently every season.
Considered hardy in The Netherlands.
Fuchsia Margaret Brown (26)
AGM H4 1993

31

32

BP

BP

Fuchsia Phyllis (29)

AGM H4 1993

Fuchsia Riccartonii (31)

AGM H3 1993

Raised by H A Brown in 1938. Sent by

Felixstowe & District Fuchsia Society.

Fuchsia Mrs Popple (27)

AGM H3 1993

A vigorous, wide-spreading shrub.

Height 50cm, spread 80cm. Flowers
single to semi-double, held slightly
stiffly on long pedicels above foliage,
with cerise-pink calyx tube and lobes
that are broad and spreading; petals
purplish-red; stamens and styles pale
red and not long-protruding. This
cultivar was named by Mr Brown after
his sister, (one of his other sisters,
Margaret, was immortalised by W P
Woods cultivar Margaret Brown).
Considered hardy in other gardens and
in The Netherlands.

Sent by Balmoral Estate, Jackdaws

Field Nursery, J Lamb and Silver Dale
Nurseries.

Sent by Little Brook Fuchsias and J

England.
A bushy upright but rather small plant
with dark, red-tinged foliage. Height
90cm, spread 140cm (2 year old plant a late entry in the trial). Flowers single
with a short crimson calyx tube and
lobes that are broad and spreading;
petals deep purple, paler at the base;
stamens deep red and a very long style.
This is an old cultivar, of unknown
origin, discovered in 1930 by Clarence
Elliott of Six Hills Nursery, Stevenage,
in his neighbours, Mr and Mrs Popple,
garden where it had grown on a bank
by their tennis court for over 20 years.
Mr Elliott exhibited the plant at an
RHS Show in 1934 where it gained an
Award of Merit. Considered to be fully
hardy by all, except two growers, in the
postal survey and in The Netherlands
and Germany.
Fuchsia Mrs W. P. Wood (28)
AGM H3 1993
Raised by W P Wood in the UK in
1949. Sent by RHS Garden Wisley.

A bushy plant with rich green leaves.

Height 100cm, spread 140cm. Flowers
small, single, with a long rose-pink
calyx tube and lobes that are spreading;
petals purplish-pink veined with darker
pink; stamens pink and a paler style. A
reliable, free-flowering plant named
28

29

Fuchsia Prosperity (30)

AGM H3 1993
Raised by Clifford Gadsby in the UK
in 1974. Sent by Little Brook Fuchsias.
A compact plant with reddish stems
and glossy green bronze-tinged
foliage. Height 60cm, spread 55cm.
Flowers large, double held on very
long pedicels, glossy, crimson, stout
calyx tube and thick lobes that are
spreading; petals pale rose-pink
veined and flushed with a deeper
pink; stamens and long-protruding
style deep red. This cultivar has one of
the largest double flowers of the
hardier types making it a spectacular
plant in flower. Considered hardy in
The Netherlands.

33

BP

after Mrs Margaret Slater (ne Brown),

past President of the British Fuchsia
Society. Considered hardy in The
Netherlands and Germany.

A vigorous, upright, bushy plant with

pale green foliage. Height 130cm,
spread 200cm. Flowers very small,
single with pale pink to white calyx
tube and lobes that are spreading and
tipped with green; petals white,
sometimes slightly flushed pale pink;
stamens and style cream and longprotruding. Mr Wood named this
fuchsia for his wife. Considered hardy
in The Netherlands.

Raised by W P Wood in 1949. Sent by

Kathleen Muncaster Fuchsias.

27

A tall vigorous and upright plant with

red stems and rather small dark green,
red-veined leaves. Flowers on long thin
pedicels, are slender, single, with a long
scarlet tube and lobes that are long,
narrow and spreading; petals dark
purple; stamens and style red. Reaching
to 2-3m or more, it is a popular flowering hedge in the milder and more
humid areas of the west coasts of the
UK. In dryer and colder regions it will
be cut down in the winter, but will
shoot again from the base in the spring
and flower profusely in late summer
and well into the autumn. One of the
best known fuchsias, raised by James
Young in the 1830s at Riccarton near
Edinburgh. Considered hardy in The
Netherlands. Died in trial.
Fuchsia Rose of Castile Improved (32)
AGM H4 2002
Raised by Edward R R G Banks in Kent
in 1869. Sent by Silver Dale Nurseries.
A vigorous bushy upright plant. Flowers
large, single with a short calyx tube
white flushed pink; lobes spreading,
white flushed pink, darker within,
tipped green; petals violet veined pink;
stamens pink and style white. It is
similar but larger in flower to Rose of
Castile both raised by Edward R R G
Banks.
Fuchsia Rufus (33)
AGM H3-4 2002
Raised by Nelson in the USA in about
1952. Sent by RHS Garden, Wisley.
A vigorous and early-flowering, bushy

34

BP

plant with dark purplish-red stems and

red-veined leaves. Height 50cm, spread
55cm. Flowers single with bright red
calyx tube and lobes spreading to
reflexed; petals dusky red; stamens red
and long-protruding style. Considered
hardy in The Netherlands.

A very hardy dwarf plant. Considered

hardy in The Netherlands and
Germany

Fuchsia Snowcap (34)

AGM H3-4 1993

An upright, bushy plant with

yellowish-green leaves veined red.
Flowers small, single with a slender
red calyx tube and lobes that are red,
broad, spreading to slightly reflexed;
petals white veined with reddish-pink;
stamens and style reddish and longprotruding. This sport of Pixie
appears to have arisen independently
several times in the mid 1960s but
one named White Pixie from Merrist
Wood in Surrey received the RHS
Award of Merit in 1968. Unfortunately it reverted readily in the trial.
Considered hardy in The Netherlands.
Died in trial.

Raised by Henderson in the UK in about

1880. Sent by Little Brook Fuchsias.
An upright but dwarf shrub with small
leaves. Height 40cm, spread 50cm.
Flowers, semi-double with red calyx
tube and lobes that are reflexed and
tipped green; petals white veined with
red. Stamens and style red, protruding.
Considered hardy in The Netherlands.
Fuchsia Son of Thumb (35)
AGM H4 1993
Raised by Gubler in the UK in 1978.
Sent by Little Brook Fuchsias.
A profusely flowering, small compact
mounded plant with red flushed
stems. Height 30cm, spread 70cm.
Flowers small, single, occasionally
semi-double, cerise-pink calyx tube
and lobes that are spreading; petals
lilac coloured; stamens and style red.
A sport of Tom Thumb.
Fuchsia Tom Thumb (36)
AGM H3 1993
Raised around 1850 in France. Sent by
Kathleen Muncaster Fuchsias.
A small, neat, compact, mounded, very
free-flowering plant with small leaves.
Height 30cm, spread 60cm. Flowers
single, small with scarlet calyx tube
and lobes that are spreading; petals
violet-purple with deep reddish-pink;
stamens and style long-protruding.

Fuchsia White Pixie (37)

AGM H3-4 2002
Sent by Breach Lane Nursery.

Other hardy fuchsias

worth considering
Fuchsia Eva Boerg (38)
A compact plant with a spreading to
somewhat trailing habit. Height
50cm, spread 80cm. Flowers semidouble, large, with cream calyx tube
flushed with green, lobes cream
flushed pale pink and green tipped,
reflexed; petals pinkish-purple with a
paler base; stamens and style pale
pink. Raised by Yorke in 1943. The
habit of this plant makes it especially
suitable for containers and although
flowering over a long period, in the
trial did not always bear many flowers
at any one time. Sent by The Royal
Boskoop Horticultural Society.

BP

BP

10

RHS Plant Trials and Awards

30

35

36

37

Hardy Fuchsias

38

11

39

40

41

42

Cultivation in trial
Site
An exposed site in a known frost pocket. Sandy soil pH6.5.

JH

F. hatschbachii (39)
Tall, upright plant, height 140cm,
spread 100cm. Long, narrow, lanceshaped leaves arranged in 4s at each
node, purplish-red when young, and
pale tan-coloured young stems. It has
the large, single, pendulous flowers to
2.5 cm long on very long pedicels
with glossy scarlet calyx tube and
lobes and dark purple petals with very
long red stamens and style. This
species grows wild in Brazil and has
been known in cultivation in this
country since 1989. Sent by Kathleen
Muncaster Fuchsias.
Fuchsia Henning Becker (40)
A bushy plant with a neat habit and red
stems. Flowers single, rather rounded in
shape with a short, very glossy scarlet
calyx tube and spreading lobes; petals
purple with red stamens and long style.
This plant was not in the trial but seen
by the subcommittee at Harlow Carr.
Raised by Strmper in Germany in 1985.
Fuchsia Jenny Sorenson (41)
A small neat plant with rather small
leaves. Flowers single, facing outwards
rather than drooping, with bright rosypink reflexed lobes and mauve-pink
petals with pinkish stamens and style.
This reliable and attractive plant was
not grown in the trial but seen by the
subcommittee at Leicester Botanic
Garden. It was raised in the UK in 1987
and named for a Grimsby fishing boat.
Fuchsia Lady Boothby (42)
A very tall upright plant which with
support can reach over 5m against a
wall. The internodes (the length of stem
between the leaves) are exceptionally
long and the dark green leaves have a
red midrib. Flowers single with crimson

JH

calyx tube and spreading lobes and dark

purple petals, pink at the base and
veined with deep pink. Stamens and
style crimson. This cultivar, raised in
UK by Raffill in 1939, is known as the
climbing fuchsia and is derived from
the species F. regia which in the wild in
Brazil can climb to 15m. Although it
died in the trial, it is known to survive
in many other gardens and was seen at
both Harlow Carr and Leicester Botanic
Garden. Sent by Little Brook Fuchsias.
F. magellanica var. molinae
Sharpitor (43)
An upright bushy plant with very
small grey-green leaves margined with
creamy-white. Height 70cm, spread
100cm. Flowers on long pedicels, very
small, single with very pale pinkishlilac lobes with very slightly darker
petals with pale pink stamens and
style. This cultivar is an ideal foliage
plant but less significant for flower. It
arose as a sport of Mrs W.P. Wood in
the mid 1970s at the National Trust
property of Sharpitor in Devon. Sent
by Balmoral Estate.
F. magellanica var. gracilis Tricolor
(44)
An arching plant with reddish stems
and small greenish-grey leaves
margined with creamy-white and a
pinkish tinge. Height 130cm, spread
140cm. Flowers single, small and
slender with vivid red lobes that are
twice as long as the deep purple
petals; long-protruding red stamens
and style.
There is some confusion about the
correct identity of this plant and
concern about whether it is distinct
from the plant grown in the gardens as

JH

Versicolor. The two appeared identical

in trial and, like Versicolor, it reverts
readily. Sent by Leicester University
Botanic Garden.
Fuchsia Mephisto (45)
An upright and bushy plant. Height
75cm, spread 90cm. The small single
flowers are held in clusters well away
from the foliage and less pendulous
than in the majority of cultivars. Long
calyx tube and reflexed lobes scarlet;
corolla deep crimson; stamens and
long style red. This cultivar was raised
by Reiter in the USA in 1941. In the
trial the flowers appeared to be
damaged by sun, so it is probably best
grown in semi-shade. Sent by The
Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society.

12

45

46

RHS Plant Trials and Awards

Much of the trial plot became waterlogged in the winter of

2001/2002 and in August 2002 it was noted some entries,
particularly Riccartonii and F. magellanica variants were
looking tired and some entries had stems with dieback.
The plants and irrigation water were tested for Phytophthora
and found to be negative. Gert Fortgens, Director of the
Trompenburg Arboretum visited the trial at Wisley in
September 2003 and reported that they had experienced
similar problems with up to 25% of their plants being
affected. To date, despite extensive tests in the Pathology
Department at Wisley, no cause for the condition has been
found.

Woody Plant Trials Committee

Fuchsia Wharfedale (47)
A vigorous bushy plant. Flowers single
with clean white calyx tube and
spreading to recurved lobes; petals
magenta; stamens reddish and a longprotruding white style. This plant was
raised by Hansen in the UK in 1993. It
was not in the trial but seen by the
Committee at University of Leicester
Botanic Garden.
CG

44

165 separate entries were submitted by 18 senders (including

the National Plant Collections holders, other specialist
nurserymen in the UK, The Royal Boskoop Horticultural
Society in the Netherlands and gardens such as Logan
Botanic Garden and the Balmoral Estate in Scotland as well
as the RHS Garden Wisley). To ensure plants were of a
uniform age and size at the start of the trial all entries were
received as cuttings. Sources that held open ground stock
plants sent rooted cuttings in September 1999, these were
held under glass at Wisley and spring cuttings were taken in
March 2000. Sources that held glasshouse protected stock
plants sent cuttings in March 2000. All plants were grown
on to 2 litre pot sized plants and over-wintered for planting
out in the trial plot at the end of May 2001. Plants in the
parallel trial at the Trompenburg Arboretum in Rotterdam
were planted in 2001 in a more typical garden setting,
amongst trees and other plants, they were cut back in spring
at the first signs of growth.
Plant deaths

Fuchsia Rhombifolia (46)

A free flowering, upright bushy but
open plant with small leaves. Height
110cm, spread 110cm. Flowers single,
very small but numerous with vivid
scarlet calyx tube and spreading lobes;
petals purple; stamens pale red and
style red and very long. It was very
distinct in appearance and popular
with committee and public alike. It is
thought to be a seedling of
Riccartonii raised by Lemoine in
France. Sent by Silver Dale Nurseries.

BP

43

Plants

47

Chairman:

Peter Catt

Vice Chairman:

John Hillier

Acknowledgements
Photography: All photographs by Laura Pearce, copyright RHS
Wisley, except where indicated; Barry Phillips (BP) copyright
RHS Herbarium; Carol Gubler (CG); John Hillier (JH)
Illustration: Niki Simpson
Particular thanks are due to Trials Recorders Laura Pearce,
Melanie Dashwood and Chrissie Ferriroli for the recording,
sourcing and reporting of this trial; to Barry Phillips (Herbarium
Technician) for the collection and skilful arrangement of
herbarium specimens and to James Armitage (Botanist, RHS
Wisley) for assistance with nomenclature. RHS Curatorial staff,
headed by Jim England.
Thanks to Carol Gubler (of Little Brook Fuchsias) and National
Plant Collections holders: Roger Gilbert (of Silver Dale
Nurseries), Jack Lamb (hardy species), Barrie Frankland
(University of Leicester Botanic Garden), Andrew Simmons
(Balmoral Estate), A Dallas (of Croxteth Hall) and K Muncaster (of
Kathleen Muncaster Fuchsias); as well as the other senders, for so
generously supplying plants.

Further reading

Members:
Chris Brickell
Maurice Foster
Michael Hickson
Roy Lancaster
David Masters
Harvey Stephens

Felixstowe & District Fuchsia Society, 20 Melford Way, Felixstowe,

Suffolk IP11 2UE
Jackdaws Field Nursery, Maplehurst, Horsham, W Sussex, RH13 6LL
Kathleen Muncaster Fuchsias, 18 Field Lane, Morton, Lincs, DN21 3BY
J. Lamb, National Collection of Fuchsia Species, 9 Austen Drive,
Bramley, Rotherham, S66 2UF
Little Brook Fuchsias, Ash Green Lane West, Ash Green, GU12 6HL
Logan Botanic Garden, By Stranraer, Wigtonshire, Scotland,
Pettets Nursery, Poison Cross, Eastry, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 0EA
Potash Nursery, Cow Green, Bacton, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 4HJ
Notcutts Nurseries Ltd, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 9QY
The Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society, Voorofscheweg 390, 2771
MS Boskoop, The Netherlands
Silver Dale Nurseries, Schute Lane, Combe Martin,
North Devon, EX34 0HT
Swallowfield Nurseries, Eastergate Lane, Eastergate,
Chichester, PO20 6ST
University of Leicester Botanic Garden, Leicester, LE1 7RH
Waltons Fuchsias, 54 Burford Lane, Lymm, Warrington,
Cheshire, WA13 0SH

Bartlett, G. (1996) Fuchsias, a Colour Guide. The Crowood Press,

Marlborough, Wiltshire.

David Clark
John Gallagher
John Humphris
Chris Lane
Chris Sanders
Archie Skinner

Bartlett, G. (2000) Fuchsias, The New Cultivars, The Crowood

Press, Marlborough, Wiltshire.
Boullemeier, L. B. (2nd edition, 1988) The Checklist of Species,
Hybrids and Cultivars of the Genus Fuchsia. Blandford Press, London.

Senders of plants to the trial

Balmoral Estate, East Lodge, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, AB3 5TB
Breach Lane Nursery, no longer trading
Burnside Fuchsias, Parsonage Road, Blackburn, Lancashire BB1
4AG
Clay Lane Nursery, 3 Clay Lane, South Nutfield, Nr. Redhill,
Surrey, RH1 4EG
Dalesview, 24 Braithwaite Edge Road, Keighley,
West Yorkshire BD22 6RA

Johns, E. A. (1997) Fuchsias of the 19th and Early 20th Century. An

Historical Checklist of Fuchsia Species & Cultivars, pre-1939. The
British Fuchsia Society, Kidderminster, Worcestershire
Saunders, Eileen (1971-1987) Wagtails Book of Fuchsias. Wagtail
Fuchsia Publications, Lechlade, Gloucestershire. Vols I-V.
Wright, J. O. (1979) Fuchsia, A garden history. The Plantsman
Vol I (3): 181186

Hardy Fuchsias

13

Selection guide to hardy fuchsias

Name

Colour of sepal : petal

Flower*

Notes

Dwarf compact (25cm 40cm high)

pale crimson : pink

F. Lady Thumb

rose : white

F. Tom Thumb

Early flowering = 50% flowering in mid-June

Colour of sepal : petal

SD

cerise : lilac

F. Achievement

red : purple

Pretty little flower.

F. Bernisser Hardy

red : violet

Flower*

cerise : lilac

rose : white

F. Baby Blue Eyes

red : lilac

Shows flowers well, continuous flowering. Good

flower to leaf ratio.

F. Corallina

scarlet : purple

Early flowering. Vigorous, low, spreading with

scrambling habit.

Flowers usually single but sometimes semi-double.

carmine : mauve

F. Alice Hoffmann

Neat habit.

F. Empress of Prussia

scarlet : magenta

Small leaf. Neat and floriferous.

F. Gardens News

pink : rose

SD

cerise : purple

F. John E. Caunt

red : pink

Jolly good garden plant, lot of vigorous growth.

F. Phyllis

cerise : purple
red : purple

Early flowering. Outstanding, a really good shrub

F. magellanica var. gracilis

for the garden.

Variegata

Bronze tipped foliage. Good stocky plant, clean

F. Mercurius

Large flower.
D

F. Chillerton Beauty

pink : violet

Early flowering.

F. Conspicua

scarlet : white

Corolla a cleaner white than Madame

F. Dark Eyes

red : violet

F. David

red : purple

F. Display

pink : pink

F. Dollar Prinzessin

cerise : purple

SD

Leaves margined cream. A very good variegation

red : violet

Bronze shoots tinged red. Super plant, lovely

F. Flash

F. Genii

varnished sepals and a nice habit.

F. magellanica var. gracilis

Tends to hold on to its dead flowers.

F. Rose of Castile Improved

white : purple

Very small flower and tiny leaves. Early

Tall and bushy habit (100cm + high)

flowering.

F. Army Nurse

red : pink

Spreading petals.

F. Doctor Foster

scarlet : violet

Early flowering.

F. Hawkshead

white : white

red : magenta

Early flowering. Light green foliage. Very distinct

F. Howletts Hardy

scarlet : purple

F. Liebriez

cerise : white

F. Madame Cornlissen

red : white

F. Mephisto

scarlet : crimson

No correct entry in trial.

White, small flower. Pretty pale green buds. Clean

pink : pink

Early flowering. Distinct with its fairly small

rosy-pink flowers and rich green foliage.

red : violet

Yellow foliage contrasting well with red stems.

F. Mrs W. P. Wood

pale pink : white

Early flowering. Very small flower. Very vigorous plant.

F. Rhombifolia

scarlet : purple

Tiny flowers.

Very tall and vigorous.

SD

Tall and arching habit

Reliable.

F. Riccartonii

red : purple

Very pretty.

F. magellanica Versicolor

red : purple

No difference between this and Tricolor found

in the trial.

SD
Distinct. A good free-flowering red.

F. magellanica var. gracilis

red : purple

Leaves grey-green tinted silver, some partially

Tricolor

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F. Prosperity

crimson : pale pink

F. Rufus

red : red

F. Snowcap

red : white

A good plant.

F. Margaret

SD

SD

with good flower to leaf ratio.

Compact plant.
red : violet

Early flowering.

light green foliage.

F. Margaret Brown

F. Heidi Ann

Similar, but larger plant and foliage a slightly brighter

yellow than Genii. Very hardy. Does not revert.

scarlet : purple

Very small leaf, grey-green edged white.

cerise : violet

red : purple

F. Mrs Popple

white/pale lilac

Large leaf.

but there was some reversion in the trial.

Cornlissen.

Sharpitor

Large flower.
Early free-flowering. Flowers held well.

and tough.

F. magellanica var. molinae

Notes

Foliage with a golden hue.

Small leaf. Super plant, compact and

Medium height and bushy habit (40cm 90cm high)

F. Brutus

Name

Flowers held erect above foliage.

floriferous.
F. Son of Thumb

D = double flower (8 or more petals)

SD = semi-double flower (5-8 petals)

Medium height and spreading habit

F. Alison Patricia

F. Saturnus

Flower*

margined white, young growth with red-purple hue.

Very compact.
Very hardy and reliable.

SD

RHS Plant Trials and Awards

Would be AGM plant if it did not revert.

F. magellanica var. gracilis

red : purple

Early flowering. Very tall arching stems.

F. magellanica Thompsonii

red : purple

Early flowering. Strong upright growth.

Hardy Fuchsias

15