Fuchsia Fuchsia 'Swingtime' (d)
ABOUT
Fuchsia 'Swingtime' (d) is renowned for its highly decorative and distinctive flowers. The blossoms hang elegantly from arching stems, displaying a graceful pendulum-like appearance that adds an air of sophistication to gardens and hanging baskets. Its flowers are a striking combination of color—a vibrant red outer layer that seamlessly transcends to layers of white, with long, tender inner petals that extend downward. These inner petals are often a deep pink or purple hue, which contrasts beautifully with the red and white outer petals. The petals themselves are unique, with the outer red and white layers forming a skirt-like shape that cups the inner petals, which tend to be somewhat tubular and slender. This elegant ensemble gives the impression of a tiny ballerina with bold and colorful attire. The sepals—the parts of the flower that previously protected the bud—are typically the same vivid red as the outer petals, curving back gracefully as if to present the more delicate inner petals to onlookers. The foliage of Fuchsia 'Swingtime' (d) provides a lush backdrop for the dramatic flowers. The leaves range from a deep green to a lighter, more subtle shade, with a slight glossy sheen. They are typically oval-shaped with pointed tips and are arranged in pairs along the stems, giving the plant a full and verdant look that complements the showy blooms. Together, the intricate flowers and lustrous foliage present a feast for the eyes, making Fuchsia 'Swingtime' (d) a popular choice for gardeners seeking to add a touch of glamour to their outdoor or indoor spaces. Its overall appearance is a delightful dance of color and form that continues to enchant flower enthusiasts around the world.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Ladies' Eardrops, Fairy Bells
Common names
Fuchsia 'Swingtime'
ToxicityTo humans
Fuchsia 'Swingtime' is generally considered non-toxic to humans. Ingesting parts of Fuchsia may cause stomach upset, but it is not known for severe toxicity or dangerous poisonings in humans.
To pets
Fuchsia 'Swingtime' is also generally considered non-toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. Similar to humans, if a pet ingests parts of a Fuchsia plant, they might experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort, but it is not known to cause severe poisoning or life-threatening symptoms in pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
Central and South America
Benefits
General Benefits- Decorative Flowers: Fuchsia 'Swingtime' boasts large, attractive double flowers with red sepals and white to pinkish corolla, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of gardens and outdoor spaces.
- Pollinator Attraction: The plant attracts hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Shade Tolerant: This variety can thrive in partial shade, making it a versatile addition to gardens with varying light conditions.
- Long Blooming Period: Fuchsia 'Swingtime' has a prolonged flowering season, often from late spring through to early autumn, offering sustained beauty.
- Container Gardening: Its trailing habit makes it ideal for hanging baskets and containers, adding vertical interest and saving ground space.
- Easy Pruning: This plant responds well to pruning, allowing gardeners to maintain desired shapes and sizes.
- Versatile Planting Options: It can be used in a variety of landscaping designs, from borders to window boxes, providing flexibility in garden planning.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Fuchsia 'Swingtime' can be used as a natural dye due to its vibrant and richly colored flowers, often imparting subtle hues to fabrics or art materials.
- The versatile shape and colorful blooms of Fuchsia 'Swingtime' make it ideal as a subject for botanical illustration and plant-focused art projects.
- As an educational tool, Fuchsias can be used to teach about plant structure and pollination, as their unique flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and insects alike.
- In the culinary realm, the edible flowers of Fuchsia 'Swingtime' can be candied and used as decorative and flavorful embellishments on desserts or cocktails.
- Its trailing habit and striking appearance allow Fuchsia 'Swingtime' to be used in hanging basket weaving, integrating living plants into the craft for dynamic and living art pieces.
- The plant can be incorporated into ornamental headdresses or corsages for special events, providing a touch of natural beauty and a pop of color.
- Urban gardening initiatives can utilize Fuchsia 'Swingtime' for beautifying small spaces, as the plant thrives in containers and can brighten up balconies and patios.
- During festive seasons, the flowers of the Fuchsia 'Swingtime' can be used to create unique, natural holiday ornaments and garlands.
- Horticultural therapy programs often include plants like Fuchsia 'Swingtime', as caring for and observing the growth of such brightly colored flowers can be soothing and rewarding.
- Photographers may use Fuchsia 'Swingtime' as a vibrant backdrop or focal point for macro and nature photography, capturing the intricate details of the flowers.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Fuchsia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Fuchsia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Confiding Love: Fuchsia flowers, with their delicate hanging blooms, often symbolize confiding love. The way the flowers dangle can be reminiscent of a person leaning in to share a secret, signifying trust and intimacy.
- Elegance and Good Taste: The elegant and graceful appearance of the Fuchsia plant, especially the 'Swingtime' variety, with its bicolored petals, suggests a sense of high sophistication and a preference for refined beauty.
- Amiability: Fuchsias are known to be hardy and reliable bloomers in the garden, and their bright, cheerful flowers represent friendliness and warmth in relationships.
WaterFuchsia 'Swingtime', commonly known just as Fuchsia, prefers consistent moisture without being waterlogged. Watering should be thorough, soaking the soil to a depth of at least an inch. During the growing season, water approximately once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions; more frequently during hot, dry spells, and less during cool, rainy periods. Ensure the pot has good drainage to prevent root rot. Generally, use about one gallon of water each time for a medium-sized pot to maintain even soil moisture.
LightFuchsia 'Swingtime' thrives in bright, indirect light with protection from the harsh midday sun. The best spot for this plant would be a location where it can receive morning sunlight and afternoon shade, or dappled sunlight throughout the day. Avoid direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day as it may scorch the leaves and flowers.
TemperatureFuchsia 'Swingtime' prefers cooler temperatures and is best grown in conditions where the temperature is between 55°F and 75°F. It can tolerate minimum temperatures down to about 40°F, but should not be exposed to frost. The maximum temperature this plant can handle is around 80°F, above which it may start to show signs of stress.
PruningFuchsia 'Swingtime' benefits from regular pruning to encourage bushiness and more blooms. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove dead or weak stems and cut back by about a third to promote lush, new growth. Also, deadhead spent flowers regularly throughout the growing season to encourage continuous blooming.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFuchsia 'Swingtime' thrives in a moist, well-draining soil mix composed of peat moss, perlite, and loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0-7.0.
RepottingFuchsia 'Swingtime' should be repotted every 2-3 years or when the plant becomes root-bound.
Humidity & MistingFuchsia 'Swingtime' prefers high humidity levels, around 60-70%, to thrive.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Keep fuchsia in bright, indirect light and high humidity indoors.
Outdoor
Plant fuchsia in dappled shade and shelter from harsh winds outdoors.
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 10-11.
Life cycleFuchsia 'Swingtime' starts its life as a seed, germinating in warm, moist soil conditions, typically in spring after the risk of frost has passed. The young seedlings establish themselves rapidly, developing a root system and foliage. As they grow, they enter the vegetative stage, where they produce abundant foliage and stems, requiring regular watering and feeding. After a period of growth, they begin the flowering stage, usually from late spring to fall, displaying their characteristic red and white pendulous flowers that attract pollinators. Once the flowering season ends, if pollinated, they may produce small fruit containing seeds for reproduction, although many avid gardeners propagate through cuttings for better cultivar consistency. As winter approaches, the plant enters dormancy, with care taken to protect it from frost, and then it recommences its cycle with the return of favorable weather conditions.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Summer
Propogation: Fuchsia 'Swingtime', commonly known simply as fuchsia, is most commonly propagated through softwood cuttings. This propagation method is typically undertaken in late spring to early summer when the plant's growth is tender and green. Cuttings, about 2 to 4 inches long (5 to 10 cm), are snipped just below a leaf joint or node where the concentration of growth hormones is high. The lower leaves are removed, and the stem is inserted into a pot filled with a moistened mixture of peat and perlite. It's important to provide a warm environment and maintain high humidity around the cuttings, for example by covering them with a plastic bag or placing them in a propagator. Roots usually develop within three to four weeks, after which the cuttings can be transplanted into individual pots to grow on.
