Fuchsia Triphylla Group

Fuchsia Triphylla Group hybrid with leaf of Canna Tropicanna in the garden of Margaret Chedra in Sydney

Hybrids from the species Fuchsia triphylla are some of the most robust Fuchsia to grow in Sydney, where the more flamboyant types are not always easy to cultivate. The original species was first discovered in the Dominican Republic/Haiti in the late 17th century. It was crossed with F. fulgens and F. splendens to produce hybrid forms now referred to as the Triphylla Group.

Fuchsia Triphylla Group hybrid with Justicia brandegeeana in the garden of Robin Diehm in Sydney

Fuchsia Triphylla Group hybrid with Justicia brandegeeana in the garden of Robin Diehm in Sydney

These hybrids have long-tubed, single flowers, held in clustered bunches, most commonly coloured vibrant red or orange-red (but pink versions do exist) and appearing almost all year round in our climate. The velvety foliage is often dark tinted. The plants grow into shrubs about 1-1.5 m in height. They will grow in sun or part or dappled shade and like a well-drained, humus-rich soil and some mulch during the warmer months. Like most Fuchsia, they do not like waterlogged soil, which can cause fungus problems. They can be pruned in late August to keep them compact. Propagation is by cuttings taken in autumn or spring.

Fuchsia triphylla Billy Green

Fuchsia triphylla Billy Green

Three well-known cultivars are 'Gartenmeister Bonstedt' with brick-red flowers, 'Thalia' with orange-scarlet blooms and 'Coralle' with orange-red or salmon-pink flowers. 'Billy Green' (pictured) has rich pink blooms, but may have more complex parentage. The red and orange cultivars look good grown amongst other hot-coloured flowers, such as Justicia brandegeeana, Canna, Dahlia and Salvia. The foliage looks effective when grown nearby other dark leaves, such as Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'. The pink-coloured ones are pretty with cool-coloured Salvia, Plectranthus or Hydrangea.