Descriptions
 
Fuchsia Descriptions:
Fuchsias are described on labels, on websites
and in catalogues and books so it is a good idea to be certain what the descriptions mean.
A basic description will mention the type of Fuchsia, the growth habit, the colour or colours of the sepals and corolla and sometimes the foliage and the type of Fuchsia.
 
All Fuchsias, other than some species, have four sepals( see below)

The sepals cover the flower before it opens. When these open out they expose the corolla which has been hidden inside the bud.
 
The corolla can have four to twelve or more petals. Those with four petals only such as Ambassador ( below) are known as singles

Ambassador

 

Those with five, six or seven petals in the corolla such  as Bobby Shafto below are known as
semi-doubles

Bobby Shaftoe

Those Fuchsias with eight or more petals such as
Blue Frills  below are known as Doubles. The doubles are often quite large flowers to accommodate the number of petals in the corolla
 
 
The growth habit of Fuchsias can be described as Upright or Trailing but some uprights in books can be called a bush.
Catalogues both on line and in print usually only refer to Trailing or Upright.
Ambassador ( see previous) is an Upright. This means it will grow up and will probably grow a single main stem as it matures. These plants do well in the ground and in pots and make good standards. An upright which is a bush will often develop more than one main stem so it can be grown in the ground and in a pot and they make good pyramids and pillars. They are very useful in a mixed border.

Blue Frills

A Trailer has lax growth often with the stems hanging down. If the branches are not pinched they can become very long with just a few flowers on the ends. Blue Frills ( see above) is a trailer Trailers generally will develop several stems from a central point and will then branch out from there. These plants do well in baskets or large pots as they will hang over the edges but they also do well in the ground at the front of the border especially if the bed has been built up to allow better drainage. Trailers will’ flop’ over the front of the bed and, as they mature, will hold their stems stiffly above the ground and trail over.

Many trailers make good standards if well trained.

Bountiful

Bountiful: Double upright
Sepals: pale pink/ deep pink under
Corolla: milky white with pink veins/ vigorous & free flowering/ needs pinching
 
 The description  of Bountiful ( above)  tells us that it is a Double ( more than eight petals in the corolla) It has Upright growth therefore will grow in the ground or a pot or border. The four sepals (often written as S: ) are pale pink and a deeper pink underneath and that the Corolla ( often written as C: ) is milky white with pink veins
Being able to read descriptions allows us to make better choices of plants which suit our gardening needs.
Janice