Fuchsias

Description

This comprehensive book covers all aspects of growing fuchsias, current developments in fuchsia hybridising are covered in particular depth. Other topics include potting procedures, pests and diseases, chromosome references and plant genetics.

Reviews

Fuchsias: Britain's number one favourite summer bedding plant. A relatively recent introduction, approximately 1700, they have slowly but surely risen through the ranks to attain today's current status. Easy to grow, easy to propagate and readily available in their myriad of cultivars, they guarantee flowers from early summer through to the first frosts. Relatively pest-free and easy to please, they can be accommodated in beds and borders, patio pots and hanging baskets. Trailing, bush, standards and fans, even the growing habits offer a variety seldom found in any other genus. Grown for show or personal enjoyment they lend themselves to everyone's tastes and requirements. In short they are a gardener's dream. This fully revised edition of Goulding's classic fuchsia reference work brings the subject up-to-date, reflecting new nomenclature, hybridisation and show standards. Not just for breeders and showmen, this is an invaluable cultivation guide for amateurs and professionals alike. Propagation, pest control, cultural details and hybridisation methods are all clearly detailed in easy-to-understand language, possibly encouraging a keen amateur to try their hand at developing a new variety. Detailed lists of cultivars are sorted by colour and use and for the first time a comprehensive directory of species is included. Colour photographs and superb watercolours by Alison M. Jones illustrate this genus' diversity: from triphyllas to encliandras and paniculates to the more well-known basket and bedding varieties. With today's preponderance of fuchsia societies and nurseries reflecting their popularity, there is no excuse for not growing these floriferous, easy and attractive plants. - Lucy Watson

Table of contents

Fuchsias in history; types of fuchsias; soils, fertilizers and potting procedures; propagation and growing on; bedding fuchsias; standards and other shapes; fuchsias in conservatories and greenhouses; baskets and containers; hardy fuchsias and garden design; ornamental foliage; special fuchsias - encliandras, whites, triphyllas, paniculates and novelties; exhibiting fuchsias; calendar of care; problem identification; pests and diseases; hybridizing; species; appendix 1 - chromosome references and plant genetics; appendix 2 - Fuchsia Research International; appendix 3 - picture references; list of Gouldings Fuchsia raisings (1981-2001); list of other fuchsias released by Gouldings Fuchsias (1981-2001); specialist societies across the world; fuchsias index.