Well it's not really wild, it's a cultivar.
But it has a wild habit of growth.
This is Fuchsia Tom West, a hardy fuchsia, believed to be a mutation from Fuchsia riccartonii. It originated in France in 1853. So here we are in December, and it is still flowering. It is growing in a shady border, protected by privet hedges, and has survived the two recent severe winters, so it really is hardy.
And the wild bit? Oh yes, well, it sends out runners. It thinks it's a strawberry. Most of the growth is upright, but it also produces branches that run along the ground, and root several feet away from the main plant. Plants for free, requiring no work on my part. Result.
But there's another habit that is not so helpful. The plant has variegated foliage, but sends up branches with no variegation, as can be seen in the photo above. These branches need to be regularly pruned out, otherwise the entire plant will revert back to green.
The squirrel has been at it again, trying to get into a squirrel-proof feeder, but this feeder really is squirrel-proof. Although the squirrel didn't think so.
I'll give him ten out of ten for effort, but he didn't get any food. Not this time anyway.
Ciesz się, że kwiatek pięknie Ci rośnie i tak mało pracy wymaga. Wiewiórce może następnym razem uda się zdobyć się jedzenie :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the beauty of a flower you grow and so little work required. Squirrel maybe next time manage to get the food :)
I'm sure the squirrel will get the food. It usually does.
DeleteThe on-going war with squirrels can be a pain for most gardener if they decide to go after the planted bulbs. At present there are no squirrels here at Gardens at Waters East - I am lucky! As for your photos of the squirrel at the feeder, you have to give them an "A" for effort! Nice visiting you today. Jack
ReplyDeleteI think I'll give it "AAA" It tried so hard and achieved nothing.
DeleteThat's a pretty one, I love fuschia flowers and wish they were more heat tolerant. Finally a feeder that really is squirrel proof (at least for a while).
ReplyDeleteThis feeder really is squirrel-proof. I've had it for several years, and they have never succeeded in reaching the food.
DeleteThat looks a pretty fuchsia. I have a Tom in my garden by the front door but mine is Tom Thumb. I have had it for years, it gets all the weather thrown at it and lots of neglect but always performs beautifully :-)
ReplyDeleteThe squirrels are certainly entertaining to watch. I read there are more visiting gardens this year due to a poor crop of acorns.
Oh no, I don't want any more of them. I've got enough visiting as it is.
DeleteI hope the squirrel doesn't hold it against you and dig up your bulbs as revenge. We watched one raiding the feeders at Fairburn Ings last Thursday. They must tolerate them as they actually sell feeders like yours.
ReplyDeleteThe squirrel is too busy, planting nuts, to bother with my bulbs. I'll have a nut plantation come next spring.
DeleteThe squirrels in my Mother-in-law's garden provide hours of entertainment, mainly for me as I watch her rant & curse them as they enter her garden. For a woman of 88 yrs with a hip replacement, dodgy knees & poor eyesight, that woman sure can leg it to hammer on the window to scare these critters away. When they couldn't get into her squirrel-proof feeders they simply gnawed thru' the hanger and made off with them...respect! :-)
ReplyDeleteI bet those squirrels had been watching "Oceans 11" or some similar film.
DeleteSuch an unusual foliage colour - I didn't know that fuschias sent out runners. We aren't troubled with squirrels in our garden - yet - you sort of have to admire their tenacity though don't you.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if the fuchsia doesn't like where it is planted, and is trying to escape. This is the second year that it has produced branches along the ground that have rooted.
DeleteThe squirrels are so adorable and desperate for food. Please feed them. Why discriminate against them, with birds being offered food but not the squirrels? :)
ReplyDeleteOh there's plenty of food for the squirrels; lots of trees in neighbouring gardens bearing fruit, seeds and nuts. And the occupants of a nearby flat complex with a secluded garden, regularly feed them too.
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