Fuchsia x regia Regal

The Fuchsia x regia 'Regal' is a small unusual fruit bush, offering both a magnificent summer flowering and edible berries. Its violet and fleshy berries, rich in vitamins, can be enjoyed fresh or transformed into jams and juice. Rather cold-resistant (-10 °C), comfortable in a pot, it is a versatile plant that will enhance the terrace or garden. You will cultivate it in light shade, in a rich, fresh, and light soil. In open ground, this fuchsia survives cold winters by sprouting from the stump in spring.

Fuchsia regia is a botanical species native to Brazil, discovered in the 1980s, belonging to the onagraceae family. Fuchsia 'Regal' is a hybrid of this plant selected for its abundant and high-quality fruiting. It is a compact bush that quickly reaches between 50 cm and 1 m in height, with a similar spread. Its bicolour flowering, made of bright pink and violet flowers, brightens the garden or terrace from June to September. But the real asset of this variety lies in its edible fruits: they are oblong, tender, and juicy berries, seedless, resembling a peanut in shape. When ripe, they are dark purple-black and detach easily. Their flesh has a subtle grape flavor with a slight hint of black pepper. Harvested from late August, these berries are rich in vitamin C. They can be turned into juice, jams, or even used to top pies. The flower petals, also edible, can be added to salads or crystallized to attenuate their slight bitterness.

The foliage of Fuchsia 'Regal' persists in winter as long as it does not freeze. It consists of small oval and elliptical, slightly dentate leaves. They are shiny, in a beautiful dark green. They make a beautiful backdrop for the flowers.

Fuchsia regia 'Regal' will delight amateur gardeners of ornamental and fruit plants. In a pot on a terrace or in open ground, it can be paired with other original small fruit bushes like Dwarf Blackberry 'Lucky Berry', the Dwarf Raspberry 'Ruby Beauty', the Dwarf Mulberry Bonbonberry® ‘Mojo Berry’  and the Climbing Strawberry 'Mount Everest'.