Fuchsia Bicentennial - Trailing Fuchsia

Fuchsia 'Rohees New Millenium' is a recent hybrid variety that falls in a spectacular cascade, adorned with large double petticoat-like flowers that are almost black, topped with dark pink petals. They bloom abundantly from late spring and continue until the end of summer, creating a magnificent display in hanging baskets. This plant is easy to grow in partial shade, in fertile, moist, and light soil.

There are countless hybrid Fuchsias, most of which are derived from Fuchsia magellanica and Fuchsia fulgens, sometimes with the contribution of Fuchsia triphylla, which adds length to the flowers and is characterized by thin tubes and violet-coloured reverse leaves. All these herbaceous to woody plants, more or less hardy and more or less erect or trailing, belong to the Onagraceae family. They are native to South America, the Caribbean, and Australia.

The 'Rohees New Millenium' fuchsia quickly forms a dense bush with a spread and trailing habit, reaching a height of 50-60cm (19.7 - 23.6in) when in bloom and a width of 60cm (23.6in). Its flowering period extends from June to September-October. It stands out for its excellent floribundity and the unique colour of its flowers. Its large double flowers, measuring 6 to 8cm (3.1in) in diameter, appear in great numbers and for a very long period. They consist of a tube extended by four long and reflexed sepals of a reddish-pink colour and a corolla made up of multiple wider and shorter petals of almost black violet. Long pink-violet stamens complete the colour harmony. The flexible stems, initially herbaceous, become somewhat woody over the season. They bear abundant foliage consisting of slender leaves arranged in opposite pairs, grouped in whorls or clusters of 3 or 5. They are entire, lanceolate, with dentate edges, and approximately 3cm long. They are fairly dark and glossy green. The foliage, deciduous, falls off in winter. The hardiness of this fuchsia does not exceed -3°C (26.6°F) in open ground.

Usually grown as an annual, this 'New Millenium' Fuchsia is a perennial that can be grown indoors in a large pot that can be brought indoors during winter to protect it from frost, but it can also be planted in open ground for a season or even longer in very mild climates. Fuchsias pair well with the foliage of ferns, Rodgersias, orange Heucheras, or light green hostas. In a large flower pot, they can be accompanied, for example, by ivy, Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost', Lobelias, or Bacopas with delicate flowers. In the garden, fuchsias are remarkable alongside hydrangeas or annual Impatiens balfourii. Large double-flowered varieties will be enhanced by upright varieties such as 'Price Noir' or 'Winston Churchill'.

Discovered in Santo Domingo in the 17th century and acclimated in Europe, it was named fuchsia (not Fuschia) in honour of a German botanist named Fuchs. Native to South America, botanical Fuchsias have gradually multiplied. There are now estimated to be tens of thousands of hybrids!

Note: Please be aware that our young plants in mini-plugs are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under cover (conservatory, greenhouse, cold frame...) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before being placed outdoors once the risk of frost has definitively receded.