This time of year is ideal for planting one of our most colourful flowering plants the Fuchsia. It can be used either in indoor as a houseplant or outdoor in the border, in baskets and in containers. They come in a range of shapes, sizes and flower colours.
The first fuchsia to be discovered was Fuchsia triphylla on the island of Hispaniola, which we know today as Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It was found by a French monk who named it after the German botanist Leonart Fuchs. There are currently 110 known species which are mainly native of South America, with a few from Central America and also from New Zealand where they occur naturally in the interior of forests or in damp and shady mountainous situations.
From the species there are now many thousand hybrids which range in hardiness and use. Here are some suggestions of varieties suitable for use in the gardens of Lincolnshire.
These varieties will normally survive most winters, but they may well suffer in extremely cold weather. They are ideal for planting in shrub borders and will give colour through the summer right through until the autumn.
F Beacon Dark Pink and mauve flowers
F Display Central tube of the flower is a deep pink with rose pink outer
F Dollar Princess Double flowers with cerise crimson outer and purple centr
F Tom Thumb Red and mauve flowers, compact growth. RHS Award of Garden Merit
F Hanna Red outer and white centreTrailing and Bush Varieties
These varieties are ideal for use when planting up tubs, container and hanging baskets. Use the trailing varieties in baskets so they hang down over the basket, while the bush varieties go well in planted containers and tubs.
Some suggested varieties include:
F Annabel Pink and white double flowers. Trailing to semi bush variety
F La Campanella White and pink semi double flowers. Trailing
F Marinka Bright red flowers. Trailing
F Swingtime Red and White flowers. Trailing
F Carmel Blue White outer and purple centre. Bush
F Mieke Meursing White and pink flowers. Bush
Dead heading fuchsias regularly will provide continuous flowering rather than flushes of flower.All Fuchsias but especially those grown in tubs and baskets will respond well to a high nitrogen feed initially and then a feed of high potash when in flower. Do ask in you local garden centre for advice on what feed to give. In the garden fuchsias do best in a sheltered shaded position with a fertile, moist but well drained soil. Things to be Doing In the Garden In May and June
· When planting bedding or shrubs make sure you water the plants well before planting
· Lawns will be growing quickly now and will require regular cutting
· Set up your own compost bin. Grass mowing’s, mixed with vegetable peelings will produce a rich compost which will add nutrient to your garden. Don’t just give it free to the council!
· Treat weeds in lawns with a selective week killer such as Verdone Extra Ready to Use
· Plant up patio containers – put a feature plant in the centre such as a cordyline and surround it with bedding plants of your choice, such as Impatiens or Petunias. There are now several specialist composts such as Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Compost which is less likely to dry out in the summer.
· Sweet corn, runner beans, French beans, squash, courgettes and outdoor cucumbers are best sown in pots and kept under glass till the end of month when the danger of frost has passed. They can then be planted out in the garden.
· The seeds of hardier vegetables can be sown directly into shallow drills out in the garden include carrots, lettuce, broccoli, spinach, radish and peas.
· Earth up potatoes in May to protect the tender shoots from frost.
· Check roses for signs of aphid and ask at your local garden centre for the best method of treatment.
