Diva
Fuchsia
-
Grows
well in Shade or Morning Sun
-
Beautiful
in mixed containers, like with Impatiens
and Lobelia
-
Doesn't
require pinching or trimming
-
Strong,
upright and self-supporting
-
Continues
to bloom in hot weather and until frost
-
Freeze
tolerant to the low 20s
-
Perennial - offering beauty year after
year
We're really excited to tell you about Diva
Fuchsias... With minimal effort,
you're going to enjoy some spectacular results!
You'll
want several for your hanging baskets and
planters - Divas put on a spectacular
show in containers, whether in
shady locations or sunny (though not in
afternoon sun in the hotter climates). And
they'll also do well in garden beds,
where they winter over well - in protected
areas, Divas will winter over down to the
low 20s.
And
we haven't even talked about their prodigious
blooming ability! Plant now, and
you'll enjoy fast overall plant growth the
first few weeks. Then as the days get longer,
your Divas will start to flower - and the
blooming will remain nearly constant well
into fall. (That's because fuchsia are "facultative"
bloomers - which means once they've initiated
blooms, they will continue to bloom until
outdoor temperatures get cold enough to
kill soft growth.) Another reason you'll
like Divas is they offer very limited fruiting
- and the less fruiting, the more energy
the plant has for making flowers.
Like
all fuchsias, Divas like a consistently
moist soil (though not soaked),
so you'll want to pay attention to watering
needs particularly in your containers and
during hotter weather stretches. You will
notice Divas take dry weather well,
faring much better in higher temperatures
than their Northern European bred cousins.
You'll also want to apply a slow release
fertilizer or liquid feed every 6 weeks.
As
for size, you can expect a strong 18-24"
tall fountain-form shrub the first year
here in the cooler Northwest climates.
Divas will then reach 24-30" over the next
few years, without any need for staking.
Some 5-year-old Divas in warmer climates
have reached 36" wide by 48" tall without
need for any type of support. And talk about
low maintenance - this
attractive plant form is attained without
pinching or trimming.
Divas
are great for creating versatile
mixed containers. In England, gardeners
love to mix Fuchsia with Impatiens in matching
or contrasting colors. Lobelia is a great
filler around both plants. Or trust your
own instincts and try them with some of
your other favorite container plants.
Be
sure to come by your Fred Meyer Garden Center
for Diva Fuchsia after mid-April. You're
really going to enjoy the results.
While
much of the information in this tip is applicable
in several gardening zones/climates, some
of the plants and timing suggested are best
suited to the Northwest, generally in the
mild/wet growing regions found along the
I-5 corridor. You should make appropriate
adjustments or consult local gardening experts
in regions whose climates differ from this
area of the Northwest. |
