Fuchsia procumbens

Description

Fuchsia procumbens

Fuchsia procumbens, commonly known as the Creeping Fuchsia or Trailing Fuchsia, is a unique and diminutive species native to New Zealand. Unlike its more familiar upright cousins, this rare fuchsia has a prostrate growth habit, forming a low-growing mat of small, round leaves that spreads to about 1 metre wide but rarely exceeds 10 cm in height.

The plant’s most distinctive feature is its unusual flowers, which grow upright from the stems rather than hanging down. These small blooms, appearing from late spring to autumn, showcase vibrant yellow-green sepals that open to reveal blue pollen-tipped stamens and a red corolla tube. Following the flowers, the plant produces large, edible berries that transition from green to red as they ripen.

Thriving in partial shade and well-draining, slightly acidic soil, Fuchsia procumbens is ideal in hanging baskets where its trailing stems can cascade over the edges or as a conservatoryspecimen. This frost-tender species is prized by collectors for its unique characteristics and charming, albeit subtle, beauty.