Fuchsia Bella Sophia

Fuchsia 'Sophia' is a floriferous and versatile variety. Its compact and semi-trailing habit is suitable for pots and hanging baskets. It bears masses of gently bicoloured single flowers, with pale-pink petals over a white corolla. They bloom throughout summer until October, clearly visible against the dark green foliage. This new variety is easy to grow in partial shade, in fertile, moist, and light soil.

There are thousands of hybrid fuchsias. For the most part, they are derived from Fuchsia magellanica and F. fulgens, with occasional contributions from F. triphylla, which adds length to the flowers, characterised by thin tubes and violet-hued undersides of the leaves. All these herbaceous to woody plants, varying in hardiness and growth habit, belong to the Onagraceae family.

Fuchsia 'Sophia' quickly forms a bushy plant with a semi-upright and trailing habit, 30 to 35cm (12 to 14in) tall when in flower and 35 to 40cm (14 to 16in) wide. Its abundant flowering extends from May-June to October. Its single flowers are carried by semi-upright pedicels, unlike many other varieties whose blooms are hidden in the foliage. Each flower is composed of a tube extended by 4 long and reflexed sepals. They are pale-pink with a white and short white corolla nestled within the outer corolla of sepals. Long pink stamens complete the harmony of colours. The stems are initially herbaceous, becoming somewhat woody as the season progresses. They bear an abundance of foliage composed of slender deciduous leaves.They are opposite, whorled in groups of 3 or 5, with entire, dentate margins, measuring 3cm (1in) in length. The lanceolate leaves are a glossy dark green. Its hardiness does not exceed -3°C (26.6°F) in open ground.

Usually grown as an annual, Fuchsia 'Sophia' is a perennial that can be grown indoors. It can be grown in a large pot that can be brought indoors during winter to protect it from frost. It can also be grown in the ground for a season. Fuchsias pair well with the foliage of ferns, silver candles, orange or pink heucheras, and blue or light green hostas. In a mixed container, they can be planted with ivy, Dichondra 'Silver Falls', lobelias, or Madagascar periwinkles. This fuchsia also creates a striking effect when combined with dark-coloured coleus varieties such as 'Black Prince' or FlameThrower Salsa Roja.

Discovered in Santo Domingo in the 17th century and acclimatised in Europe, it was named Fuchsia (not Fuschia) in honour of a German botanist named Fuchs. Native to South America, botanical fuchsias have gradually multiplied. There are now believed to be tens of thousands of hybrids!