Fuchsia 'Lechlade Gorgon'
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Family: Onagraceae
Pronounced: FEWK-see-ah
GROWING GUIDE
Geographic Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Small shrub.
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Mature size: Height: 18 inches (45 cm). Width: 3-4 feet (1-1.2 m).
Flowering period: Summer until first frost.
Flowering attributes: Branched panicles carry the tiny flowers of rosy-purple tubes and sepals with pale-mauve corollas.
Leaf attributes: Large, shiny, green leaves with rosy-purple leaf stems.
Light: Partial shade to full sun.
Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil.
Feeding: Fuchsias are heavy feeders; thus, monthly applications of a complete organic fertilizer, from spring through July, is called for when growing in the ground. In containers, you may want to use a slow release fertilizer. If leaves turn yellow, this may be a sign of the plant needing more nitrogen. Be careful not to over feed as this could burn the plants in containers when using a chemical fertilizer.
Propagation Methods: Take cuttings throughout the growing season.
Pruning Methods: When necessary, prune this fuchsia hard.
Pests and Diseases: Whitefly, aphids, scale, mealy bugs and spider mites may be problems for this fuchsia. Resistant to fuchsia gall mites, a problem in California, but not in the Pacific Northwest.
Rainy Side Notes
In 1985, John Wright produced a seedling from a cross between F. arborescens and F. paniculata and named it 'Lechlade Gorgon'. It is an upright fuchsia with rosy-purple tubes and sepals and pale-mauve corollas. With a name like ‘Lechlade Gorgon’, it sounds like a little monster. However, its panicles of small fuchsia flowers are a pleasant surprise when it blooms, reminiscent of sprays of pastel spring lilacs.
'Lechlade Gorgon' is not heat-tolerant. It grows exceptionally well in the cool maritime climate of the Pacific Northwest. Unfortunately, it's not hardy here and must be wintered over indoors.
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
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