Fuchsia White King

Fuchsia 'White King' offers, from June until the first frost, a cascade of large, double, pendulous flowers. They measure up to 12 cm in diameter and are pure white with a hint of pink on the tips. This bushy perennial with flexible, trailing branches reaches 50 cm in all directions. Plant it in a flowerbed, a hanging basket or a container, in full sun or partial shade, in fertile, moist and well-drained soil. It is a semi-hardy plant that needs protection in regions with cold winters.

From the Onagraceae family, fuchsias are native to South America, the Caribbean and Australia. They were discovered in Santo Domingo in the 17th century and were named after a German botanist named Leonhart Fuchs (1501-1566).  Today, there are many hybrid fuchsias, mostly derived from Fuchsia magellanica and Fuchsia fulgens, sometimes with contributions from Fuchsia triphylla, which adds length to the flowers. The 'White King' variety is an American creation by Michael Pennisi in 1968. It stands out with its huge, double, ruffled petals. The tube is white, as is the corolla, and the sepals are white with a hint of pink on the tips. Its large, pendulous bells bloom from June to October, even November. Its leaves are ovate, toothed and dark green. This fuchsia forms an upright bush with flexible branches, perfect for use in a hanging basket.

Hardy down to -7°C, the 'White King' Fuchsia can be grown in the ground in regions with mild winters with winter protection for the crown (mulching and fleece). Elsewhere, it is best grown in a pot or hanging basket and brought indoors in a greenhouse or conservatory during winter. In a partially shaded flowerbed, plant it alongside Hydrangea macrophylla 'Freudenstein' with pink flowers and Hosta 'Almost' with light green, almost golden foliage. Blooming until the first frost, it will create a colourful and bright autumn flowerbed with Sedum 'Autumn Joy' with pink flowers and Japanese Anemone 'Frilly Knickers' with double white flowers.