Fuchsia Species Encliandras
Fuchsia Species: Encliandras
Fuchsia
species are divided into eleven broad groups. Encliandra is one of these
distinct groups with six species recognized within the group: F.cylindracea, F:encliandra, F: microphylla, F.obconica, F: ravenii, and F.thymofolia.
They were
first recognized and described as a distinct species by Zuccarini in 1837.
It
is the second species within the group i.e. F.encliandra which is of
particular interest to Australian growers for their hardiness and versatility.
Native to temperate alpine forests in Mexico and Central America, they grow in
altitudes from 1800 to 2000 metres so are very cold and frost tolerant.
One
of F.encliandra’s most useful characteristics is that they flower almost
continuously, sometimes all year round. Many have very tiny flowers which seem
to cover the whole bush followed by little black berries which often drop to
the ground and produce seedlings under the bush. Many are also evergreen with
fine fern like foliage and rarely suffer from pests and diseases.
Their
only downside perhaps is that they resent extremes of hot weather but do
recover well with a little care. Mine came through last Summer unscathed
despite the extreme heat. Encliandras are not often recognized as Fuchsias as
they do not ‘fit’ the image most people have of Fuchsias. Their
tiny flowers (for a better image of our examples look on our website.) www.fuchsiaclubnsw.com.au under
Flower Gallery and enlarge the image) have long tubes with reflexed sepals.
Male and female flowers appear on the same bush. Some, however, have
‘perfect’ flowers which mean the flowers have both male and female
parts.
Many
hybrids have been developed and come in colours varying from deep red to pink/
white, mauve and white and cyclamen pink. Among the best known in Australia are
probably Lottie Hobby and Candy Bells. There are however many more available in
Australian Specialist Fuchsia Nurseries. They include trailers suitable for baskets
and underplanting and bushes which are great for the back of the border and as
a feature plant.
The
encliandras will grow in low light conditions so they grow very well for Ken in
a South facing garden shaded by the house and for me at the edge of a woodland.
They do need a light prune once a year to keep them shaped.
Encliandras
make a ‘talking point’ in the garden. Their feathery, fern
like
evergreen, foliage, abundance of flowers and long flowering time plus
their
easy care, pest and disease resistance, make them ideal for the
Australian
garden. They can be used in pots, baskets, feature plants, as a hedge
or
included in a
border.
Some Encliandras available in
Australia:
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Angel’s Kiss:Encliandra Type
Tube & Sepals: flared, pale pink
Corolla:white / tiny flowers and leaves/ wiry stems/ self branching /free
flowering / vigorous bush
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Candy Bells: Encliandra Type
Tube & Sepals: bright purple
Corolla: deep pink/ tiny flowers and foliage/ wiry stems/ vigorous/ long
flowering bush will self seed
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Carnival Lights: Encliandra Type,
Tube: long, narrow deep pink Sepals &
Corolla: deeper pink/ vigorous bush tiny flowers and leaves
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Chance Encounter: Encliandra Type, Tube:long, narrow pink Sepals: white Corolla:
white Sturdy vigorous bush/ layers easily
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Edith Hall: Breary1987 Encliandra Type
Tube, sepals & corolla: red strong
bushy growth /can be grown in a basket
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Fairy Floss: Robson Encliandra Type,
Tube: pale pink Sepals: pink
darken with age Corolla: white/flushed pink/ spreading habit/ small leaves
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For You:Encliandra
type
Tube & Sepals: bright pink Corolla:
pink/ vigorous spreading bush
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Lechlade Tinkerbell:
Encliandr typeWright 1983
Tube,sepals&corolla:
bright pink/
strong/ free flowering bush
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Little Catbells: Encliandra Type:
Travis 1980 Tube: short & white Sepals:
rose Corolla: white darkening to rose / upright/ vigorous/ free flowering/
shade
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Lottie Hobby; Encliandra Type
Edwards 1839 Tube & Sepals: crimson
Corolla: purple/tiny flowers & foliage/ strong wiry stems/ vigorous/
free flowering
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Memories: Encliandra Type,
Tube& Sepals: mauve pink Corolla: pink
tipped white/ strong/ free flowering bush
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Minutiflora Hemsley 1880 Tube:
red Sepals: cerise Corolla: white flushed
cerise/thin wiry growth/ vigorous/ free flowering
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Mytee Red: Encliandra Type
Tube & Sepals: red
Corolla: red / vigorous/ free flowering upright/ small foliage & leaves
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Peaches and Cream: Encliandra Type Robson 1997: Tube:salmon Sepals: spreading
green Corolla: pale tangerine/ growth spreading /self branching bush
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Pink Mist; Encliandra Type/ Tube& Sepals: pink Corolla: white with
deep pink veins/ vigorous/ free flowering/ trailer or lax bush
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Short & Sweet: Encliandra Type, Tube:
pink Sepals: pink Corolla: pink/
vigorous bush/free flowering
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Sugar Plum Fairy:Encliandra Type:
Tube & Sepals: white Corolla: pink ageing
to plum/ sturdy/ free flowering bush
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White Clove: Encliandra type
Tube:white , long and narrow Sepals
white Corolla: pink/tiny flowers/ foliage small and wiry upright/ vigorous
bush
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