Fuchsia Elma-Hendricks

Fuchsia 'Elma-Hendricks' is a versatile variety, with a semi-trailing habit, and a flowering period that is both abundant and prolonged. The plant is covered in small, rather pastel-coloured flowers, with a white corolla veined with pink and sepals of a slightly brighter pink. Brighten up your terrace or balcony throughout the summer with this lovely variety: it will make a statement in pots and hanging baskets!

Hybrid Fuchsias are countless, and most of them are derived from Fuchsia magellanica and Fuchsia fulgens, with the occasional contribution of Fuchsia triphylla, which adds length to the flowers and is characterized by thin tubes and violet-reverse leaves. All these herbaceous to woody plants, more or less hardy and more or less upright or trailing, belong to the Onagraceae family.

Fuchsia 'Elma-Hendricks' forms a dome of vegetation in a matter of weeks, supported by initially upright and then slightly arched stems. The plant will measure approximately 40cm in height and 50cm in width. Its flowering period extends from June-July to September-October. Its flowers, suspended from reddish stems, consist of a long pink tube followed by 4 long, tapered, pale pink sepals, and a crown of wider and shorter, single, white petals veined with pink, nestled within the outer corolla. Long fuchsia pink stamens enhance the pastel colour of the flowers. The stems become woody as the season progresses. They bear elegant and light deciduous leaves, grouped in 3 or 5, entire, 3 to 5cm long, lanceolate. Their colour is a fairly dark green.

Usually grown as an annual, this Fuchsia 'Elma-Hendricks' is actually a perennial that can be grown indoors, as well as in the ground where frost does not occur, or in a large pot that can be brought indoors for winter protection from frost. Its hardiness does not exceed -3°C even when the plant is protected in winter. Fuchsias pair well with the foliage of ferns, Rodgersias, or hostas. In a mixed container, they can be accompanied, for example, by ivy, lobelias, or Bacopas with very delicate flowers.

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

Green plants measuring 4 to 8cm in small 5-pack plugs, 2.8cm in diameter and 4cm high. Our plants are at least eight weeks old and strong enough to be planted in the ground.

Note: Please be aware that our young plants in mini plugs are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, repot and store them in a sheltered place (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame...) at a temperature above 14°C for a few weeks before planting them outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.