Fuchsia Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall'
ABOUT
Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' is a striking plant known for its unique and vibrant flowers. The blooms are pendulous with a distinctive teardrop shape that dangles gracefully from the branches, adding a touch of elegance to the plant's overall appearance. Each flower comprises a combination of pink and purple hues, featuring a deep pink outer layer that encases a softer, purplish-pink inner layer, presenting a wonderful contrast that is pleasing to the eye. The petals are often long, slender, and slightly recurved, which highlights the pronounced, elongated stamens and the ovary extending from the flower's center, giving it an exotic and ornamental look. The foliage of 'Nellie Nuttall' contrasts the bright flowers beautifully, with leaves that exhibit a rich, dark green color, providing an excellent backdrop for the floral display. The leaves are lance-shaped with soft, subtle serrations along the edges, which adds texture to the lush foliage. The arrangement of leaves is typically opposite or whorled, which contributes to the plant's full and bushy appearance. 'Nellie Nuttall' emits an aura of vitality and joy, making it a popular choice for gardeners seeking to add a burst of color and a touch of whimsical charm to their gardens. Its flowers are not only visually impressive but also attract pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies, adding dynamism to any environment it graces.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Onagraceae
Synonyms
Nellie Nuttall Fuchsia, Lady's Eardrops, Hardy Fuchsia
Common names
Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall'.
ToxicityTo humans
Fuchsia plants, including the variety 'Nellie Nuttall', are generally considered non-toxic to humans. They are not known to cause serious poisoning if ingested. However, as with any non-food plant, eating parts of the fuchsia could potentially cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort or an allergic reaction in some individuals. It's always best to avoid ingesting plants that are not specifically grown for consumption.
To pets
Fuchsia plants, like 'Nellie Nuttall', are also generally safe for pets and are not known to be toxic to animals. While they are not considered poisonous, it's still advisable to prevent pets from ingesting plant material, as it could potentially lead to mild gastrointestinal upset or an allergic reaction in some pets. If your pet consumes a large amount of the fuchsia plant and exhibits symptoms of distress, consult your veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters)
Spread
1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
Central America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Flowers: Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' boasts striking pendulous blooms, which add visual interest to gardens and hanging baskets.
- Long Blooming Period: This plant has a lengthy flowering season that lasts from spring through fall, providing color for an extended period.
- Habitat for Wildlife: The flowers can attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, providing them with a source of nectar.
- Versatility in Landscaping: It can be used in a variety of ways in the garden, including as potted plants, in hanging baskets, and as part of mixed borders.
- Tolerant of Shaded Areas: Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' is suitable for growing in partial shade, which makes it a good option for less sunny spots.
- Easy Propagation: The plant can be easily propagated from cuttings, allowing gardeners to create new plants without much effort.
- Compact Growth Habit: Its moderate growth habit means it doesn't overpower garden spaces and fits well in smaller areas.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Hummingbird attractant: Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' can be planted to attract hummingbirds to your garden due to its trumpet-shaped flowers which are a natural lure for these birds.
- Bonsai: With proper pruning and care, Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' can be grown as a Bonsai tree, providing an unusual and artistic addition to your plant collection.
- Photography subject: The stunning flowers of Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' make it an excellent subject for macro photography, giving photographers a chance to capture its intricate details.
- Fairy gardens: The delicate and whimsical nature of Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' makes it perfect for creating enchanted fairy gardens in small containers or garden spaces.
- Edible flowers: The flowers of Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' are edible and can be used as a colorful garnish for salads, desserts, and drinks.
- Late-season bloomer: This plant extends the flowering season in a garden, adding vibrant colors in the late summer to autumn when many other plants have finished blooming.
- Cut flowers: The flowers of Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' can be used in cut-flower arrangements, adding a unique shape and splash of color to bouquets.
- Container gardening: Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' is well-suited for container gardening, hanging baskets, and window boxes, where its trailing habit can be displayed to its full advantage.
- Teaching tool: Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' can be used in educational settings, as it demonstrates the relationship between flower structure and pollinator attraction, namely birds.
- Art inspiration: The vibrant hues and elegant drops of Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall's' flowers serve as inspiration for artists, from watercolor painting to fabric design.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Fuchsia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Fuchsia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Grace: Fuchsia plants are often associated with grace because of their elegant, hanging flowers that seem to display a poised dance in the air.
- Elegance: Much like grace, the delicate blossoms and rich colors of the fuchsias represent elegance and refined beauty.
- Good Taste: The fuchsia flower is believed to symbolize good taste due to its exquisite flower shapes and stunning color combinations.
- Confiding Love: Fuchsias may be given as a symbol of confiding love, suggesting a deep connection and mutual trust between people.
- Ardent Affection: The vibrant and passionate appearance of the fuchsia bloom can represent intense affection and a bold expression of love.
WaterFuchsias, including the 'Nellie Nuttall' variety, prefer consistent moisture without becoming waterlogged. Water your Fuchsia plant when the top inch of soil feels dry, typically once or twice a week, depending on the temperature and humidity. Provide about 16-24 ounces of water each time to thoroughly moisten the soil. During the growing season, water requirements may increase, especially if the plant is in a container or experiencing hot weather. Cut back on watering in the winter months when the plant is not actively growing.
LightFuchsias like 'Nellie Nuttall' thrive best in partial shade with filtered sunlight. They should be placed in a location where they can avoid the harsh midday sun, which can scorch their delicate leaves. An ideal spot would be one that offers morning sunlight and afternoon shade, or dappled light beneath taller plants or a canopy.
TemperatureThe ideal temperature range for Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' is between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive short periods outside of this range, but temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit can be harmful. Protect the Fuchsia from extreme temperatures and provide a stable environment to prevent stress.
PruningPruning Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' helps maintain its shape, encourage bushier growth, and remove spent flowers to promote further blooming. It's best to prune the plant in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Pinch or cut back the tips of branches to encourage branching and remove any dead or diseased wood. Regular deadheading during the blooming season is also recommended.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall', commonly known as fuchsia, should be rich, well-draining, and loamy with added peat or humus to retain some moisture. A mix of two parts peat moss to one part loam and one part perlite or sand makes an ideal potting medium. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0.
RepottingFuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' should be repotted annually in the spring. However, if the plant shows signs of being root-bound or if the growth seems to be stunted, it might need repotting more frequently. Repotting provides the plant with fresh soil and room for root growth.
Humidity & MistingFuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' thrives in high humidity conditions, particularly if the air is dry. The ideal humidity level for this plant should range from 60% to 70%. To maintain these levels, especially indoors, consider using a humidifier or placing a humidity tray beneath the plant.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place fuchsia in bright indirect light, keep moist, and maintain cool temperatures.
Outdoor
Grow in partial shade, shelter from harsh sun, and protect from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
10-11 USDA
Life cycleThe Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' starts its life as a seed, germinating in moist, well-draining soil with partial shade to full sun exposure. After sprouting, it grows into a young plant with a profusion of green foliage, during which time it will require more water and nutrients to establish its root system. As it matures, it enters the vegetative stage, characterized by robust growth and development of its distinctive leaves and stems. Upon reaching maturity, the 'Nellie Nuttall', known for its pendulous, teardrop-shaped flowers, enters the flowering stage, producing delicate blooms in shades of pink and purple that attract pollinators. Following pollination, it sets seed, completing the reproductive cycle, though Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' is often propagated through cuttings rather than seeds. As a perennial, it continues this growth cycle annually, entering a period of dormancy during colder months to conserve energy before regrowth in the spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Summer
The most popular method of propagating Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' is through softwood cuttings. This is usually done in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. To begin the process, a healthy, non-flowering shoot is selected and a cutting of about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) long is taken just below a leaf joint. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then inserted into a moistened mix of half perlite and half peat to provide aeration and support. It is important to maintain a high humidity by covering the cutting with a plastic bag or placing it in a propagator, and to keep it out of direct sunlight. Roots typically form within a few weeks, after which the new Fuchsia 'Nellie Nuttall' can be gradually acclimatized to less humid conditions before being potted on.
