Fuchsia Fuchsia 'David'
ABOUT
Fuchsia 'David' is renowned for its striking and decorative flowers. These blooms typically have a two-tone appearance, with a combination of purplish-red petals and violet-purple inner skirts. The flowers dangle elegantly from the branches, resembling graceful earrings. They are characterized by their unique shape, having a tubular structure with extending stamens, which gives them a lantern-like appearance. The foliage of the plant is deep green, creating a lush background that accentuates the vibrancy of the flowers. The leaves are usually oval-shaped with a slight taper at the ends and can have a subtle serration along the edges. This fuchsia cultivar presents an overall cascading habit that makes it particularly attractive for hanging baskets and garden containers, allowing the stunning flowers to spill over the edges and creating a visual spectacle of color and form.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Onagraceae
Synonyms
Fuchsia, Lady's Eardrops
Common names
Fuchsia 'David'.
ToxicityTo humans
Fuchsia 'David', commonly known as Fuchsia, is generally considered non-toxic to humans. Most parts of the fuchsia plant, including flowers and berries, are edible and even used in some culinary applications. There is no widespread documentation of toxicity for humans, and ingesting parts of this plant typically does not lead to poisoning or severe consequences. However, as with any plant material, individual allergies or sensitivities may cause mild discomfort.
To pets
Fuchsia 'David', commonly known as Fuchsia, is generally recognized as safe and non-toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. While the ingestion of plant material might cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some pets due to the unusual plant matter, there are no significant toxins in the plant that would cause serious poisoning or life-threatening symptoms in pets. However, pet owners should always be cautious and consult with a veterinarian if there are any signs of illness following ingestion of plant material.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
Central America
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The Fuchsia 'David' is known for its striking appearance, with pendulous, teardrop-shaped flowers that are a vibrant combination of pink and purple hues, making it a visually appealing addition to any garden or landscape.
- Attracts Pollinators: Its brightly colored flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which play a crucial role in pollinating other plants.
- Versatility: This plant is suitable for a variety of settings, including hanging baskets, garden beds, and containers, allowing for flexibility in garden design and placement.
- Long Blooming: Fuchsia 'David' has a long flowering period, often blooming continuously from spring throughout the summer and into the fall, providing extended beauty and interest in the garden.
- Shade Tolerance: Fuchsia 'David' can thrive in partial shade, making it an excellent option for garden spots that don't receive full sunlight all day.
- Hummingbird Magnet: The unique shape and vibrant color of its flowers are especially enticing to hummingbirds, which are attracted to tubular flowers for feeding.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As a natural dye: The fuchsia plant may be used to create a beautiful, vivid dye for textiles, especially from its flowers, which can impart a purplish-red hue.
- Artistic inspiration: Artists may use the striking appearance of fuchsia flowers as subjects or inspiration for paintings, drawings, and other forms of art.
- In photography: With its vibrant colors and elegant shape, fuchsia flowers are popular among photographers who specialize in botanical and nature photography.
- Educational tool: Fuchsia plants can be used in educational settings to teach students about botany, hybridization, and plant care practices.
- Culinary garnish: Edible varieties of fuchsia can be used as an attractive, edible garnish for various dishes and desserts to add a pop of color.
- Feng Shui: Some practitioners may recommend placing fuchsia plants in certain areas of a home or garden to create balance and positive energy according to Feng Shui principles.
- Crafting botanical prints: Pressing fuchsia flowers to create botanical prints can be a unique way to decorate home interiors or create personalized stationery.
- Floral arrangement workshops: Fuchsia can be included in floral arrangement classes, helping participants learn to create stunning decorations for their homes or special events.
- Bonsai cultivation: Certain types of fuchsia plants can be trained as bonsai, offering a unique challenge for enthusiasts of this Japanese art form.
- Living sculptures: With careful training and pruning, fuchsias can be grown into living sculptures for garden competitions or personal enjoyment.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Fuchsia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Fuchsia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Confidence - Fuchsia plants often symbolize confidence due to their bold colors and graceful, hanging flowers that seem to present themselves with assertiveness.
- Elegance and Grace - The delicate teardrop shape of fuchsia flowers is associated with elegance and natural grace.
- Good Taste - Often used in ornamental gardens, a fuchsia plant implies a sense of refined aesthetic taste in its grower or receiver.
- Amiability - The inviting appearance of the fuchsia flower may symbolize amiability and a welcoming demeanor.
WaterFuchsias, including Fuchsia 'David', prefer consistently moist soil but do not like to be waterlogged. Water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which generally means watering once or twice a week depending on ambient temperatures and humidity. During the active growing season in spring and summer, you might need to water more frequently, especially if the plant is outdoors in warm weather. Provide enough water to saturate the soil; this could be approximately 16-24 ounces for a medium-sized pot every time you water. In winter, reduce watering to match the plant's reduced growth and to prevent root rot.
LightFuchsia 'David' thrives in bright, indirect light. The best spot for this plant is where it can receive morning sunlight and afternoon shade, as direct afternoon sun can be too intense and may scorch the leaves. An ideal location would be an east-facing window or a spot with filtered light under a canopy if grown outdoors. Fuchsias can also adapt to semi-shady conditions, but too little light will impede their flowering.
TemperatureFuchsias, like Fuchsia 'David', prefer cooler temperatures and do well in a range of 55-75 degrees Fahrenheit. These plants can tolerate a minimal temperature of about 40 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from frost. They should also be shielded from extreme heat and should not be left in temperatures exceeding 80 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods. The ideal temperature for robust growth and flowering is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
PruningPruning Fuchsia 'David' encourages healthy growth, removes dead or diseased material, and helps maintain an attractive shape. Prune the plant in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove any dead or weak branches and cut back about one-third of the plant to promote bushiness. Pruning can be done again lightly throughout the growing season to remove spent flowers and encourage further blooming.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFuchsia 'David', also known as Lady's Eardrops, thrives in a well-draining soil mix with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6 to 7. A mix containing peat moss, perlite, and loam is ideal for maintaining proper moisture while ensuring adequate drainage.
RepottingLady's Eardrops should be repotted every two to three years or when it becomes root-bound. This will provide fresh nutrients and encourage healthy growth.
Humidity & MistingLady's Eardrops prefers a high humidity level, ideally between 60-70%. Regular misting can help maintain these humidity conditions for optimal growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light with some morning sun.
Outdoor
Hang in partial shade, shelter from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
10-11 USDA
Life cycleFuchsia 'David', commonly known as David Fuchsia, begins its lifecycle when the seeds are sown in a well-draining soil mix. Germination occurs within a few weeks under the right conditions of warmth and moisture. Once seedlings emerge and establish their first true leaves, they are gradually hardened off before transplanting. The plant grows actively in spring and summer, producing its characteristic hanging flowers that attract pollinators. After flowering, if the conditions are right, it may produce small fruits with seeds that can be collected for propagation. In colder climates, fuchsias enter a dormant stage in the winter, which can be managed by pruning and protecting the plant from frost.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Fuchsia 'David', commonly known as a fuchsia, can be propagated effectively through softwood cuttings. This method is most commonly employed in late spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate fuchsias using this method, select healthy, non-flowering shoots and cut a 3 to 4 inches (about 7.5 to 10 cm) long stem just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone to enhance root development. Insert the cutting into a pot filled with a mix of peat and perlite, ensuring at least one node is below the surface where roots will form. Keep the soil moist and cover the cutting with a plastic bag or a propagator lid to maintain high humidity. Roots typically develop within 3 to 4 weeks, after which you can transplant the cutting into a larger pot to grow on.
