Everything That Was Old Is New Again—Or Is It?
Bob Mack
Journal of the Australian Fuchsia Society, January 2005
It seems no matter where you live in Australia that just about every day you hear the common cry about water conservation and with it water restrictions. A rising popularity and interest in growing natives and succulents is apparent, not that I object but our favorite plant, the fuchsia, seems to be getting lost in the considerations of gardeners
When in Vancouver, British Columbia earlier this year, we found fuchsias being growing as bedding plants in the city and parks and even at the world famous Butchart Gardens of Victoria.
In the San Francisco Botanic Garden there were areas dedicated to the growing of fuchsia species. Dr. Peter Baye expressed how he would like to see fuchsias growing in city parks and public areas again, as they did in the early 1900s. As a fuchsia enthusiast I too would love to see our favorite plant on display in more Australian gardens, both public and private. So, my friends, have we spent too much energy promoting fuchsias to be grown in baskets or pots at the expense of growing them in the garden?
Recently, on a visit to an Adelaide garden, I found fuchsia bushes growing on an open western aspect facing the afternoon sun and prevailing winds. Everything seemed to be wrong about the siting. Yet there they were, healthy fuchsias about to put on another fabulous display, much to the owner’s enjoyment and satisfaction.
So is everything old new again? From my observations a common feature was the fact the varieties were either a fuchsia species or cultivars many of which that have been around well before the turn of the 19th century and are still with us today. No doubt they will still be around well after we have gone. They have stood the test of time and the elements making them a truly proven and hardy fuchsia. So in these times of increasing drought and with the emphasis on water wise gardens, will this be their time to rise up again in popularity?
As fuchsia enthusiasts the opportunity is there for us to promote and reintroduce older fuchsia varieties. Some that come to mind are ‘Abbe Farges’, ‘Billy Green’, ‘Carla Johnston’, ‘Display’, ‘Gartenmeister Bonstedt’, ‘Rufus’, ‘Thalia’ and ‘Whiteknight’s Pearl’. F. arborescens, F. boliviana, F. glazioviana and F. magellanica are species that should be promoted.
No doubt there are quite a few more fuchsias that you can think of and many of thee are suitable for folk planning a new garden. When the plants are established, not only will the blooms be appreciated but also a myth dispelled. That is, that in these days of water conservation you can’t grow fuchsias. Hopefully, once hooked they too will become fuchsia enthusiasts. So I say, “Yes, Virginia, there really is a fuchsia for your garden, even with water restrictions!”