Fuchsia x triphylla Thalia

Fuchsia triphylla 'Thalia' is a botanical variety characterised by an upright habit, decorative dark foliage, and a delightful flowering of small coral flowers. From late spring to the end of summer, the plant produces an abundance of long, slender flowers with vibrant colours. Non-hardy fuchsias are easily grown in partial shade or morning sun, in fertile, moist, and well-drained soil. 

There are thousands of hybrid fuchsias. For the most part, they are derived from Fuchsia magellanica and F. fulgens, with occasional contributions from F. triphylla, which adds length to the flowers, characterised by thin tubes and violet-hued undersides of the leaves. All these herbaceous to woody plants, varying in hardiness and growth habit, belong to the Onagraceae family.

Fuchsia 'Thalia' is a superb German hybrid (Carl Bonstedt) dating back to 1905. The plant quickly forms a small, branching bush with an upright habit, reaching a height of 50 to 75cm (20 to 30in) and a width of 40 to 50cm (16 to 20in). Its flowering period extends from May-June to September. The single flowers, measuring 4cm (2in) in length, appear in trailing clusters. They consist of a long tube followed by 4 small sepals and a corolla of petals that barely protrude from the tube. The stamens are not visible. The initially herbaceous stems become somewhat woody and brown as the season progresses. They bear an abundance of foliage composed of deciduous, opposite, whorled leaves, 3 or 5 in number, with toothed margins, measuring 4 to 5cm (2in) in length. They are lanceolate in shape, with a beautiful glossy dark olive-green colour and dark veins running through them. The undersides of the leaves are tinged with purple-violet. Its hardiness does not exceed -1°C (30.2°F) in open ground. 

Fuchsia 'Thalia' is a tender perennial shrub that can be grown in a large pot that should be brought indoors for winter protection from frost. It can also grow in open ground for one season. Fuchsias thrive in partial shade and pair well with ferns, bugbanes, orange or pink heucheras, and blue or light green hostas. In a mixed container, they can be planted with dwarf ivies, lobelias, or Madagascar periwinkles. Fuchsia 'Thalia' will form a beautiful combination with dark-coloured coleus such as 'Black Prince' or Flamethrower Salsa Roja.

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. Native to South America, botanical fuchsias have gradually multiplied. There are now believed to be tens of thousands of hybrids!