Fuchsia 'Lechlade Gorgon'

Family: Onagraceae
Pronounced: FEWK-see-ah (Most people pronounce it FEW-shah.)

Quick Jumps

Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes

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GROWING GUIDE

Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Small shrub.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: 16, 17, 22-24. (My own estimate.)
USDA zones: 10; possibly hardy in zone 9.
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.

 

Photographed in author's garden.

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