Fuchsia Fuchsia 'Autumnale'
ABOUT
Fuchsia 'Autumnale' is a highly ornamental plant known for its distinctive foliage and pendulous flowers. The leaves of 'Autumnale' are particularly striking, showcasing a multi-hued palette that transitions with the seasons. The leaves typically emerge with a green base color but as the seasons progress towards fall, they develop a gorgeous blend of red, orange, and yellow tones, giving the plant a fiery appearance that mimics the seasonal changes in many deciduous trees. The flowers of 'Autumnale' are equally captivating, and fuchsias are admired for their unique flower shape and vibrant colors. The blooms dangle gracefully from the plant's branches, composed of an outer layer of sepals that are usually a contrasting color to the inner petals. These inner petals often flare out into a full skirt, encircling prominent stamens that extend from the center. The sepals and petals can come in an array of colors, commonly seen in shades of pink, purple, and white, but 'Autumnale' can have variations specific to this cultivar. The overall aspect of Fuchsia 'Autumnale' lends a tropical vibe to the garden, with its lush appearance and exotic-looking flowers that bloom prolifically during the growing season. It's a popular choice for hanging baskets, containers, and borders, where the trailing stems and flowers can be showcased for their decorative appeal. The plant tends to have a bushy, mounding habit, with the branches slightly arching under the weight of the flowers and dense foliage. In summary, Fuchsia 'Autumnale' is a visually captivating plant, noted for its seasonally changing leaf coloration that adds warmth to the garden and its distinctive, charming flowers that offer a touch of the exotic and attract hummingbirds and other pollinators.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Onagraceae
Synonyms
Autumnale Fuchsia
Common names
Fuchsia 'Autumnale'
ToxicityTo humans
Fuchsia 'Autumnale', commonly known as fuchsia, is not considered toxic to humans. Ingesting parts of the plant typically does not lead to serious poisoning. However, some individuals may experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort after consuming parts of the fuchsia plant due to its slight irritant properties. Symptoms could include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is important to exercise caution and avoid eating any plant material if you are not certain of its edibility and potential effects on your health.
To pets
Fuchsia 'Autumnale', commonly known as fuchsia, is generally considered non-toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. It is not known to cause serious poisoning if ingested by pets. However, ingestion may still result in mild gastrointestinal upset in some animals, similar to humans. Pets that consume fuchsia might experience symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. If symptoms persist, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian. As with any non-food plant, pet owners should still prevent their pets from eating large amounts of fuchsia, as it may cause unnecessary digestive discomfort or an allergic reaction.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Variegated
Flower color
Mixed
Height
2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters)
Spread
1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
Central and South America
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Fuchsia 'Autumnale' adds aesthetic appeal to gardens with its unique, showy flowers and variegated foliage that changes color throughout the season.
- Attracts Wildlife: It draws in pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, supporting local ecosystems.
- Versatility: Suitable for container gardening, hanging baskets, and borders, offering flexibility in garden design and space utilization.
- Shade Tolerance: Unlike many flowering plants, it thrives in partial shade, providing options for under-canopied areas in gardens.
- Long Blooming: With a lengthy blooming period from spring to fall, it ensures consistent color and interest in the garden for an extended time.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Crafting natural dyes – The dramatic foliage of Fuchsia 'Autumnale', which can display shades of purple, gold, and green, may be used to create natural fabric dyes.
- Floral arrangements – The vibrant flowers and unique foliage of the Fuchsia can be incorporated into floral arrangements for a pop of color.
- Culinary garnish – Edible flowers of the Fuchsia can be used to garnish salads, desserts, and drinks.
- Educational tool – In botanical and educational settings, Fuchsia 'Autumnale' can be used to demonstrate plant adaptation and hybridization.
- Photography subject – Due to its aesthetic appeal, this plant is often chosen by photographers as a subject for botanical photography.
- Arts and crafts inspiration – The Fuchsia can serve as a design inspiration for artists in their painting, drawing, or fabric design due to its vibrant colors and forms.
- Living fences – Planted in a row, Fuchsias can create eye-catching hedges or living fences.
- Indicator plant – Fuchsias can be used as an indicator plant, as they typically require well-drained yet moist soil, which can signal the overall health of garden soil.
- Bonsai – With careful pruning, Fuchsia 'Autumnale' can be cultivated as a bonsai plant, providing an unusual and colorful miniature tree.
- Butterfly and hummingbird garden – Fuchsia 'Autumnale' can be used in gardens designed to attract butterflies and hummingbirds due to its tubular flowers that provide nectar.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Fuchsia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Fuchsia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Gracefulness: The elegant drooping of fuchsia blooms symbolizes grace and poise.
- Confiding Love: Fuchsias are said to represent confiding love, making them a thoughtful gift between close friends and loved ones.
- Elegance: With its beautiful color palette and delicate petals, the fuchsia is often associated with elegance and good taste.
- Vivid Imagination: The vibrant colors and unusual shape of fuchsia flowers can be symbolic of creativity and a vivid imagination.
- Good Taste: Beyond their physical elegance, fuchsias imply a sense of refined preference and discernment.
WaterFuchsias, commonly known as Lady's Eardrops, prefer consistently moist soil, but they do not like to sit in water. During active growth in spring and summer, water generously whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which might be approximately two to three times a week, depending on climate conditions. Reduce watering in the fall and winter to once a week or less, as the plant goes dormant and its water requirements decrease. Provide about half a gallon of water per plant for each watering session, ensuring that excess water drains well to prevent root rot.
LightLady's Eardrops thrive in bright, indirect light with protection from the harsh afternoon sun. A spot that receives morning sunlight with dappled shade in the afternoon is ideal for promoting healthy growth without risking sun damage to the foliage. Avoid placing these fuchsias in deep shade, as this can impede flowering and lead to leggy plant growth.
TemperatureFuchsia 'Autumnale', or Lady's Eardrops, does best in a temperature range between 55°F and 75°F. They can survive temporarily outside this range, but temperatures below 40°F may damage the plant, and prolonged exposure to temperatures above 80°F can cause stress. Ideally, aim to maintain an environment that is cool and avoids extremes to ensure the plant's health and vitality.
PruningPruning Lady's Eardrops is necessary to maintain a neat shape, encourage bushier growth, and promote more flowers. Prune lightly throughout the growing season to remove dead or wilting flowers and leaves. Conduct a more thorough pruning in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, removing older woody stems to make way for new growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Fuchsia 'Autumnale', commonly known as Hardy Fuchsia, is a rich, well-draining potting mix with peat moss and perlite. Maintain soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for optimal growth.
RepottingHardy Fuchsias should be repotted every two to three years, or when they outgrow their current container, to ensure continued growth and health.
Humidity & MistingHardy Fuchsias thrive best in moderate to high humidity, aim for a humidity level in the range of 40-60%.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Choose a partially shaded spot and protect from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
6-11 USDA
Life cycleFuchsia 'Autumnale' begins its life as a seed, which, when sowed and provided with adequate warmth and moisture, will germinate and sprout into a seedling. As the seedling grows, it develops a strong root system and a woody stem, eventually maturing into a flowering plant. The plant produces distinctive, drooping flowers that are often bicolored, which attract pollinators like hummingbirds and bees, leading to pollination. Once pollinated, the flowers develop into small fruit that house seeds for the next generation. In temperate climates, Fuchsia 'Autumnale' enters a dormant phase during the colder months, losing its leaves and conserving energy. With the arrival of warmer spring weather, the plant resumes growth, initiating another cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating a Fuchsia 'Autumnale', also known simply as fuchsia, is through softwood cuttings. This typically takes place during the spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate, gardeners cut a length of stem about 2 to 4 inches long, making sure the cutting has several sets of leaves. The bottom set of leaves is removed, and the cut end is often dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage growth. Then the cutting is inserted into a pot filled with a mixture of peat and perlite or a similar well-draining propagation medium. The environment should be kept humid, which is often achieved by covering the cutting with a plastic bag or placing it in a propagator. Within a few weeks, the cutting should root, at which point it can be gradually acclimatized to less humid conditions.
