Fuchsia magellanica Arauco

The Fuchsia magellanica 'Arauco' is a relatively recent bush variety derived from the Magellan Fuchsia that made a splash during the autumn 2016 edition of the Chantilly Plant Days. Its slightly loose habit is accompanied by a multitude of delicate tricolored flowers. This enchanting little bush blooms all summer, sometimes until October. Its bell-shaped flowers, combining white, fuchsia, and deep purple, attract attention without being ostentatious, standing out against small leaves. Relatively hardy, the plant survives normal winters with some protection, regrowing from the stump in spring.

The Fuchsia magellanica Arauco is a Dutch horticultural creation. Its wild ancestor, the Magellan Fuchsia, gets its name from the Strait of Magellan, its region of origin. It belongs to the onagraceae family. 'Arauco' is a small, flexible, sparsely branched bush that can reach a height of 90 cm (35 in), with a spread of 80-90 cm (30-35 in), in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Its oval and elliptical leaves are small for this type of fuchsia, shiny and a beautiful bright green. The flowers generously renew throughout the summer. Shaped like 4 cm (1.6 in) long bells, they hang at the end of the stems, swaying in the wind. Each one has a long fleshy calyx with four pointed sepals, bicolor in pink-red fuchsia and white. Beneath the calyx is a corolla transitioning from violet to purple, composed of very short petals. Finally, long red stamens emerge from it. The flowering is followed by the formation of small black fruits.

The Fuchsia magellanica is a somewhat forgotten bush that deserves to be rediscovered. The flowers of this Arauco variety are curiously colored and delicate; they should not be drowned out by an excess of other flowers that would overshadow their beauty. This small bush will be enhanced by foliage plants with similar cultivation requirements, such as silver candles, ferns, rodgersias, heucheras, and hostas. It can thus find its place in the background or in the middle of a flower bed, depending on the size of your garden, creating a very graceful backdrop. This Fuchsia magellanica Arauco also makes a lovely subject for a terrace or balcony, in partial shade.