Fuchsia minutiflora

Fuchsia minutiflora, also known as Fuchsia fulgens minuflora, is a perennial botanical species with small leaves and flowers. It forms a fairly large bushy shrub with fine leaves and flowers, giving it a delicate and natural appearance that is very different from hybrid fuchsias. The trumpet-shaped flowers with 4 fused petals measure no more than 1 cm (0.4in). They are bright pink with short white stamens. The flowering is followed by the formation of small black berries. This species is semi-hardy and its foliage is deciduous. It is cultivated in partial shade, in fertile, moist, and light soil, or in a pot to be brought indoors during winter.

Fuchsias are herbaceous to woody plants, varying in hardiness and growth habit. They belong to the Onagraceae family and are native to South America, the Caribbean, and Australia. Fuchsia minutiflora is a botanical species native to southern Mexico to Panama, where it grows in open forested areas, at altitude. It forms a ramified bush with an upright habit, reaching a height of 1.2 to 1.5m (4 to 5ft) and a width of about 1m (3ft). Its flowering period extends from July to October. Its bright pink or fuchsia-pink single flowers, 1cm (0.4in) long, consist of a long and slender tube formed by 4 fused petals. The flowers bear short white stamens. The flowering is followed by the formation of small black berries. The branches are slender, stiff, and highly ramified. The young stems are purple in colour. They bear an abundance of foliage composed of small, finely toothed, bright green leaves. Its hardiness is around -10°C (14°F) when planted in the ground, in a protected location. Cover the stump in winter with a thick mulch. The flowers are nectar-rich and attract bees.

Fuchsia minutiflora should be grown in partial shade or light shade, in soil that remains moist. Fuchsias pair well with the foliage of ferns, bugbanes, Geranium nodosum. In an exotic garden, it can be paired with Azara microphylla, a larger shrub with small leaves and similar growing needs. In a mixed container, it is best planted on its own. Growing in a pot means the plant can be overwintered, as it is less hardy than when planted in the ground. It can also be grown indoors year-round or pruned as a bonsai.

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