Fuchsia Blue Angel

Fuchsia Blue Angel is a hybrid variety that forms a trailing cascade of large, blue-violet double flowers with white petals. They bloom abundantly from late spring to the end of summer, creating a magnificent display in hanging baskets. This plant is easy to grow in partial shade, in fertile, moist, and well-draining 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 Blue Angel quickly forms a spreading and trailing mound, reaching a height of 25 to 30cm (10 to 12in) when in bloom and spreading 50 to 60cm (20 to 24in) wide. Its flowering period extends from June to September-October. Its large double flowers, measuring 6 to 8cm (2 to 3in) in diameter, appear in great numbers for a very long period. They consist of a tube extended by 4 long and reflexed sepals that are white tinged with green at the base, and a corolla made up of multiple wider and shorter petals in a medium violet shade with blue undertones. Red stamens and a long white pistil complete the colour harmony. The flexible 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 3 cm (1in) in length. The lanceolate leaves are a glossy dark green. The hardiness of this fuchsia does not exceed -3°C (26.6°F) in open ground.

Usually grown as an annual, Fuchsia Blue Angel is a perennial that can be grown in a large pot that can be brought indoors during winter to protect it from frost. It can also be planted in the ground for a season, or even longer in very mild climates. Fuchsias pair well with the foliage of ferns, rodgersias, orange heucheras, or light green hostas. In a large flower pot, they can be planted with coleus, Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost', lobelias, or trailing bacopas with delicate flowers. In the garden, fuchsias are remarkable alongside hydrangeas or annual Impatiens balfourii. Varieties with large double flowers will be enhanced by upright varieties such as F. 'Price Noir' or F. 'Winston Churchill'.

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!

Please be aware that our plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners. Upon receipt, transplant and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before planting them outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.