Fuchsia Bella Faya

Fuchsia Bella Faya is part of a series of compact varieties with flowers that stand out from the foliage. This variety has a semi-trailing habit that forms a generously filled round clump of exotic flowers. From spring to the first frosts, the plant is covered in buds and then round, semi-double to double flowers in shades of violet and pink-red. This fuchsia is particularly striking when used in hanging baskets. It is easy to grow in partial shade, in fertile, moist and light soil.

There are thousands of hybrid fuchsias. For the most part, they are derived from Fuchsia magellanica and F. fulgens, with occasional contributions from F. triphylla, which adds length to the flowers, characterised by thin tubes and violet-hued undersides of the leaves. All these herbaceous to woody plants, varying in hardiness and growth habit, belong to the Onagraceae family.

Fuchsia Faya quickly forms a small, bushy plant with a semi-trailing habit, reaching 30 to 35cm (12 to 14in) in height and width, or even more. Its flowering period extends from May-June to October, lasting until the first frosts. Its double flowers consist of a short, pink-red tube, followed by 4 oval and slightly upturned sepals in a pink-green colour, and a corolla of wide and short, dark violet petals, nestled within the outer corolla of sepals. Long pink stamens complete the harmony of colours. The stems are initially herbaceous, becoming somewhat woody as the season progresses. They bear an abundance of foliage composed of slender deciduous leaves. They are opposite, whorled in groups of 3 or 5, with entire, dentate margins, measuring 3cm (1in) in length. The lanceolate leaves are a glossy dark green. Its hardiness does not exceed -3°C (26.6°F) in open ground.

Fuchsia Faya is a perennial that is grown as an annual due to its low hardiness. It can be grown in a large pot that can be brought indoors for winter protection against frost, but it can also be grown in open ground for one season. It is often paired with shade-loving plants, complementary-coloured heucheras, blue-toned hostas, or ferns to provide a backdrop for the fuchsia's foliage. In a pot, it can be combined with other dark-coloured foliage plants like annual Ipomoeas or coleus, as well as with ivy or Dichondra 'Silver Falls' with small, silvery-blue leaves.

Discovered in Santo Domingo in the 17th century and acclimatised in Europe, it was named Fuchsia (not Fuschia) in honour of a German botanist named Fuchs. Native to South America, botanical fuchsias have gradually multiplied. There are now believed to be tens of thousands of hybrids!

Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners. Upon receipt, transplant them as soon as possible into pots or containers, or directly into beds.