Fireworks of pink!   It sure doesn't look like a Fuchsia, does it?  Fuchsia paniculata is a spectacular, rare species from the cool highlands of Central America.  All throughout the year, it's covered with large panicles of bright pink flowers.  Each cluster can get 5 to 10 inches across and have dozens of flowers.  The blooms are exciting even in the bud stage, starting out hot pink or magenta before bursting open to a softer pink.  The effect is like having lit sparklers all over your plant!  This is a very rare species, and freshly-picked seeds are rarely seen for sale.

Fuchsia paniculata is an upright, woody species that forms a large, tree-like bush.  Here in San Francisco it grows 12 feet tall!  You may prune the plant to any size that's convenient.  It may even be grown as a bonsai plant.  It flowers almost all year, and is a very heavy bloomer.  But even without flowers, it's a gorgeous plant, with large, glossy leaves and attractive red stems.  And after flowering, it makes grape-like berries that are edible!  They are mildly sweet, tasting sort of like a bland kiwi fruit.  This is a true species, not a hybrid, so the seeds grow true.

Fuchsia paniculata comes from cool cloudforests and is happiest in mild temperatures all year.  It might not thrive if temperatures are consistently above 85° F (29°C), especially if nights are warm.  It can handle a few degrees of frost (-3°C), but the foliage may die back from it.  I recommend protecting the plant from freezing temperatures.  It prefers filtered sun or morning sun — shade it from strong afternoon sun.  It will grow well in bright shade too.  Like most Fuchsias, it likes moist, well-draining soil, regular fertilizing, and some humidity.  This is a mite-resistant species.

Click here to check availability.

For detailed growing tips about this plant, click here.