Hardy Fuchsia Fuchsia magellanica var. molinae 'Alba'

👤 Non-toxic to humans
🐾 Non-toxic to pets
🌸 Blooming
🍪 Not edible
‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

The plant known as Fuchsia 'Alba' is a graceful and ornamental shrub that is widely appreciated for its distinctive and attractive blooms. The flowers of 'Alba' are particularly noted for their delicate pale pink to pure white color, showcasing long, slender sepals that elegantly flare out and curve over a softer pink to lavender blush corolla (the inner petals). These unique flowers have a teardrop shape, hanging daintily from the stems, often appearing to dance in the breeze like delicate earrings. The foliage of this plant contributes further to its beauty, with leaves that display a deep green color. The leaves are arranged opposite each other along the slender branches, with an elongated, ovate shape and a subtle serration along the edges which gives them a lightly textured appearance. The contrast between the soft flowers and the rich green background of the leaves creates a soothing and appealing aesthetic. 'Alba' produces a profusion of flowers that can cover the plant, creating a burst of color and adding a romantic quality to any garden space where it is grown. The overall visual impact of this plant is one of elegant charm and delicate beauty, making it a favored choice for gardeners seeking to add a touch of sophistication to their landscapes.

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Family

      Onagraceae

    • Synonyms

      White Fuchsia, White-Flowered Magellan Fuchsia, Alba Fuchsia

    • Common names

      Fuchsia magellanica var. molinae 'Alba'.

  • skullToxicity

    • To humans

      The plant known commonly as Hardy Fuchsia is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no widely recognized symptoms of poisoning because it is not commonly associated with toxicity when ingested or handled. Therefore, consumption or contact with the Hardy Fuchsia is unlikely to cause harmful effects to humans.

    • To pets

      For pets, the Hardy Fuchsia is also considered non-toxic. It is not known to pose any significant risk of poisoning to animals such as dogs or cats, and no serious symptoms are typically reported after ingestion. Consequently, the likelihood of your pet experiencing adverse consequences from consuming parts of the Hardy Fuchsia plant is minimal.

  • infoCharacteristics

    • Life cycle

      Perennials

    • Foliage type

      Deciduous

    • Color of leaves

      Green

    • Flower color

      White

    • Height

      4 feet (1.22 meters)

    • Spread

      4 feet (1.22 meters)

    • Plant type

      Shrub

    • Hardiness zones

      6

    • Native area

      Chile Argentina

Benefits

  • money-bagGeneral Benefits

    • Aesthetic Appeal: Adds delicate beauty to gardens with its graceful, pendulous flowers in a soft shade of white.
    • Attracts Pollinators: Provides nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, enhancing local biodiversity.
    • Versatility: Suitable for planting in garden beds, borders, and containers, offering flexibility in landscape design.
    • Long Blooming: Produces flowers from early summer to fall, offering a prolonged display of color.
    • Shade Tolerance: Performs well in part shade conditions, making it ideal for cooler or shaded areas in the garden.
    • Easy Propagation: Can be propagated easily from cuttings, allowing gardeners to create more plants for different areas or to share with others.
    • Low Maintenance: Requires minimal pruning and care once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.

  • medicalMedical Properties

    This plant is not used for medical purposes.

  • windAir-purifying Qualities

    This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

  • leavesOther Uses

    • The branches of Fuchsia 'Alba' can be used to create intricate weavings or as natural embellishments in floral arrangements due to their attractive arching growth habit.
    • Fuchsia 'Alba's brightly colored flowers make a vivid natural dye for fabrics, with the potential to yield shades of pink and purple depending on the mordant used.
    • The plant can be utilized as a living fence or hedge in temperate climates, offering a dense wall of foliage and seasonal blooms.
    • The nectar-rich flowers are ideal for making a sweet fuchsia flower syrup, which can be used to add flavor and color to drinks or desserts.
    • Fuchsia 'Alba' can serve as a host plant for specific butterfly and moth species, playing a role in supporting local ecosystems.
    • Due to their unique shape, the flowers can be used in crafting, such as making jewelry or decorative items like mobiles and suncatchers.
    • The flowering plant can be potted and used as a natural insect attractant in gardens, drawing in pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds.
    • When used in companion planting, Fuchsia 'Alba' can provide visual interest and color contrasts that enhance the overall design of a garden.
    • The leaves of Fuchsia 'Alba' can be used to create a natural leaf mold, which serves as an excellent soil conditioner for garden use.
    • During winter holidays, the plant can be shaped and decorated, similarly to small Christmas trees, for a festive and natural indoor display.

Interesting Facts

  • bedFeng Shui

    The Hardy Fuchsia is not used in Feng Shui practice.

  • aquariusZodiac Sign Compitability

    The Hardy Fuchsia is not used in astrology practice.

  • spiralPlant Symbolism

    • Elegance and Grace: The delicate teardrop shape of the 'Alba' fuchsia flowers is often associated with refinement, suggesting poise and an air of sophistication.
    • Good Taste: Fuchsia flowers have an exotic appearance that has made them a favorite in ornamental horticulture, symbolizing a flair for excellent aesthetic choices and beauty.
    • Confiding Love: In the language of flowers, fuchsias can carry the meaning of deep love that's being confided or entrusted to another person.
    • Amiability: The gentle appearance and harmonious coloring of 'Alba' suggest a friendly and approachable nature, reminiscent of an amiable disposition.

💧
Every 1-2 weeks
Water
☀️
500 - 2500 Lux
Light
💦️
60%
Humidity
🪴
Every 2-3 years
Repotting
🌱️
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation
✂️️
As needed
Pruning
  • water dropWater

    The Hardy Fuchsia should be watered deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Typically, watering once a week is sufficient, but this may vary depending on climate and soil conditions. Use about 1 gallon of water per plant each time you water, ensuring it reaches the root zone. During the growing season in spring and summer, you may need to water more frequently, especially in hotter climates. However, in the winter, reduce watering as the plant requires less moisture when growth slows down.

  • sunLight

    Hardy Fuchsia prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate partial shade. It's best situated in a spot where it can receive morning sunlight but is protected from the intense, direct sun of the afternoon. If grown indoors, a north-facing window is ideal, while if planted outside, dappled sunlight under trees or east-facing locations work well.

  • thermometerTemperature

    Hardy Fuchsia thrives in a temperature range of 60°F to 75°F and can withstand minimum temperatures down to about 40°F. It cannot survive in freezing conditions, so if temperatures approach 32°F or lower, the plant should be protected or brought indoors. To promote blooming, it prefers cooler nighttime temperatures around 55°F to 65°F.

  • scissorsPruning

    Prune the Hardy Fuchsia in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth. Remove dead or damaged branches and prune back by one-third to promote vigorous new blooms. Pruning should be done annually, as this also helps to rejuvenate the plant and improves overall health.

  • broomCleaning

    As needed

  • bambooSoil

    Hardy Fuchsia prefers a soil mix rich in organic matter with good drainage. A mix of garden soil, peat moss, and perlite or sand at a ratio of 1:1:1 is ideal. Maintain a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for optimal growth.

  • plantRepotting

    Hardy Fuchsia should be repotted every two to three years or when the plant has outgrown its current pot. Use a slightly larger pot with fresh soil mix to ensure continued growth and blooming.

  • water dropsHumidity & Misting

    Hardy Fuchsia thrives best at moderate to high humidity levels, around 60-70%. They benefit from misting or a humidity tray but do not require tropical levels of humidity.

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Indoor

      Keep in bright, indirect light and high humidity.

    • Outdoor

      Plant in dappled shade, shelter from strong winds.

    • Hardiness zone

      6-9 USDA

  • circleLife cycle

    The life cycle of Fuchsia magellanica var. molinae 'Alba', commonly known as Hardy Fuchsia, begins with the germination of seeds, which requires a moist environment and light. Once germinated, the seedling goes through a vegetative stage, growing leaves and stems until it reaches sufficient maturity to support flowering. During the growing season, typically spring to early summer, blossoms develop into the characteristic pendant-shaped flowers, usually white with a hint of pink, attracting pollinators such as hummingbirds. After pollination, the flowers produce small, dark purple fruits, which can be dispersed by birds, allowing the cycle to continue when they germinate. Throughout its life span, which can be perennial in suitable climates, the plant may undergo pruning or dieback in winter, only to resprout from the base or remaining live tissues as temperatures rise. In colder regions, Hardy Fuchsia may be grown as an annual or require protection to overwinter successfully.

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propogation time

      Spring-Early Summer

    • Fuchsia magellanica var. molinae 'Alba', commonly known as hardy fuchsia, is typically propagated through softwood cuttings, which is the most popular method. This process is generally carried out during late spring or early summer when new growth is soft and pliable. For optimal results, cuttings should be taken from non-flowering shoots, each about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long, with at least a couple of leaf pairs. The bottom leaves are removed, and the cuttings may be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development, then planted in a mixture of peat and perlite or a similar well-draining medium. The cuttings should be kept in a warm, humid environment out of direct sunlight until roots have established, which usually takes a few weeks. Once rooted, the new plants can be gradually acclimated to outdoor conditions and planted in their permanent locations.