Author Topic: Climbing Fuchsias (Read 4377 times)

Georgie · « **on:** January 06, 2007, 16:20:08 »

I received a T&M catalogue with my gardening magazine and in it they are advertising an 'extremely hardy climber', variety 'Lady Boothby'. According to the blurb it's 4 foot high with a 3 foot spread. Now I've never heard of a climbing Fuchsia before and would be interested to know if anyone has grown them, how they faired and any tips on how much support they need. Thanks.

G x

Tee Gee · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2007, 17:05:14 »

I don't have a climber as such but I do have a nameless!!! shrub variety and if I let it go it will grow to around the same height and spread as the one you mention.

It is a magellenica variety with tiny flowers and it grows a bit wispy.

I cut it down to the ground each year to keep it in check.

My neighbour next door has the same plants/s (from the same parent).

The difference is he does not cut his down so the lower branches are relatively thick (1")

I read up on the T&M variety and what I would do with it (if growing it in the open) is stick three four foot canes around it and wrap string/twine around the plant as it grows. Alternatively grow through a purpose made plant support.

You could grow it against a trellis and tie in but I don't think it would look as nice this way, after all all fuchsias are 'shrubs' and I think should be grown as such.

Regarding the T&M blurb I think this is a classic case of sales talk trying to get people interested in buying something that might work but is not forced to.

Georgie · « **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2007, 18:17:05 »

Many thanks for your comprehensive reply, Tee Gee. I've been doing a bit of research in the absence of any replies to my post (until now) and I've found it on offer from a few nurseries, some of whom are claiming that it is new for 2007. Anyway, I've found it at half the price T&M are charging from a small nursery in Wisbech so I'm just going to buy 3 plants and see how they fair. (I was unable to resist the temptation to buy buy a couple of scented passifloras too but that's another story!) I want the Fuchsias to hide part of a fence which is in semi shade so they sound ideal.

G x

gardenqueen · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2007, 16:39:36 »

Never heard of a climbing fuschia before, but I do have a bush that grows and grow to at least eight feet or more in height, if I let it. Don't know the name of it but it has very delicate pale pink flowers.

teresa · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2007, 00:30:48 »

I have magellenica alba it sounds like yours gardenqueen a real stunner. gives the height and very delicate flowers blush pink.
Rictonie ( spelling off) is another tall grower seen one grown to 6ft and very hardy.I love my fushias.
I to was interested in T+M climbing fushia which is most likely a strong upright one where did you find it georgie?

Georgie · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2007, 18:18:56 »

Hi Teresa, here's a link:

http://plants.thompson-morgan.com/uk/en/product/6337/1

G x

Shirley · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2007, 19:00:34 »

When ordering these plants from T&M watch for the high postage cost - £3.99. You could buy another plant for that!

Georgie · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2007, 20:08:39 »

This is where I've ordered mine from:

http://stgilesnursery.co.uk/Climbimg-LADY_BOOTHBY_A_CLIMBING_FUCHSIA.html

G x

Georgie · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2007, 17:30:01 »

The plug plants arrived yesterday; all sturdy little things with plenty of roots and leaves. I've potted them up and I'm keeping them in overnight before I move them to the mini greenhouse tomorrow. ;D

G x

valmarg · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2007, 08:49:14 »

Lady Boothby is not a 'new' fuchsia. According to my copy of The Checklist of Species, Hybrids and Cultivars of the Genus Fuchsia by Leo B Boullemier, it was first introduced in 1939.

Georgie · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2007, 11:22:57 »

Why am I not surprised, Val? I often find that suppliers like T&M liberally scatter 'new' splashes all over their catalogues. I guess all it means is that they haven't sold it before? But in the end, providing as a gardener you get the right plant for the right place then I guess it doesn't really matter?

G x

teresa · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2007, 11:38:55 »

T+M do state
" The worlds first and only climbing fuchia"
But do go on to say
" Lady Boothby" was bred from an original Brazlian species in 1939 and named after the founder of the British Fuchsia Society.
I do remember watching a gardening program when they went out of this hall/manor into a huge conservoty/greenhouse a massive fuchia was growing up a wall, it was very tall cannot remember how it was suported.
may be the same one?
But OH has ordered some so we will see how we all get on.

valmarg · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2007, 13:27:35 »

Georgie, teresa, couldn't agree with you more about what you say that if its the plant you want then - to hell, but when you are offered a 'new' plant that is older than you are, I really think the catalogues should add to the 'new' description - 'to us'!!!

According to the above-mentioned book - "Growth is upright and extremely vigorous, suitable for greenhouse climber. It is a cross between F alpestris and Royal Purple." It goes on to say that it has been accepted by the British Fuchsua Society as 'showbench hardy'.

Sorry, but I'm a bit of a fuchsia nerd/anorak.

Going to lie down now!!

valmarg

Georgie · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2007, 15:25:06 »

No need to apologise for being a 'Fuchsia anorak', I value your expertise. :) Which varieties would you recommend for training into half standards? I rather fancy growing one in the white/lilac colour way (if such a perennial exists).

G x

caroline7758 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2007, 17:46:35 »

I bought what was\supposed to be a climbing fuchsia at least two years ago, and although it's still alive and has climbed a little, it has never flowered! but then I never seem to have any luck with climbers. :'(

Georgie · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2007, 20:02:59 »

Oh, that's a shame, Caroline. :( I think there are lots of reasons why climbers fail to prosper but probably the most common are either lack of water (i.e. planted in rain shadow close to a wall/fence) or incorrect pruning. Perhaps you could start specific threads and I'm sure you'll get lots of advice. In the meantime if my Fuchsias do okay, I'll be happy to send you some cuttings in the summer. :)

G x

teresa · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2007, 21:29:45 »

One thing that is overlooked with outdoor fuchsia's.
They need watering in the first year as well as feeding regulary.
In autumn a mound of peat over the crown and roots helps to keep the frost away untill a good root system has developed.
After a few years water when it realy dry and a topdressing each spring helps. You can scatter a slow relase fert over the ground.
The soil has to be in good condition and free draining organic matter helps retain moisture. No point in making a hole in clay and popping it in sure death.
Remember against a brick wall is always very dry so extra organic matter needs digging in.
For pot fushia's I use 1 part builders sand ( which is sand and grit) to 3 parts peat works for me. Feed them once a week when flowering. Cuttings will root in water very easy and pot up once roots show.
Georgie try looking a Carmel Blue mine was more white and lilic than blue but so many beautiful fushia's out there.
When looking to buy one for a standard look for one that has not been pinched out. Then just grow on and stake it, be it a upright or trailer both can be trained into standards. But come autumn you will need to bring them into a frost free shed or greenhouse.
I love fushia's so elegant and gracefull

Hex · « **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2007, 10:51:07 »

Thanks for this Georgie - we have a fuschia specialist nursery in the next village so will keep an eye out.

The link for the nursery seems to be very good value - and I have a small paypal balance that I 'need' to use up.....

caroline7758 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2007, 11:03:05 »

Thanks, Georgie, I admit my failures are most likely due to neglect, especially since i've had the allotment!

Georgie · « **Reply #19 on:** February 12, 2007, 15:20:23 »

Lots of helpful advice there, thanks very much Teresa. Carmel Blue looks just the sort of thing I'm after, I feel a Google coming on. ;)

Hope you get what you want Hex. :)

LOL Caroline, I'm sure you are not alone. ;D

G x

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Author Topic: Climbing Fuchsias (Read 4377 times)