Fuchsia boliviana ( Red Bolivian Fuchsia ) is an evergreen shrub that is native to the Andes mountains in South America. In the right climates, the Red Bolivian Fuchsia grow pinkish-red blooms all year round. They can handle a little frost, can be grown indoors and even produce a sweet tasting purple berry. Hard to find here in Australia, this easy to grow flowering shrub makes an attractive feature plant for any garden.
Suitable for Temperate, Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
Red Bolivian Fuchsia suits shady or part-shade positions in the garden and is pretty low-maintenance once established. The flowers bloom all year round in Sub-Tropical climates that are similar to their native habitat. Plants can be damaged if temperatures exceed 40 °C / 104 °F or subjected to frost for long periods.
Growth
Fuchsia boliviana is an evergreen, sometimes deciduous flowering shrub that reaches heights of up to 4 metres (14 feet). Red Bolivian Fuchsia enjoys a humus-rich soil and moist shady positions where they can be protected from the hot summer sun. Seeds have a high germination rate and young seedlings grow quickly when daytime temperatures remain consistent between 18-25°C/65-80°F. The ideal range in Australia would be between the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to Port Macquarie, New South Wales.
Though some suggest the plant is frost tender, it simply dies off in prolonged cold temperatures and grows back in Spring. So climates such as Sydney and Melbourne are fine once the plant is established, usually in their second growing season. Places such as Canberra and Hobart maybe too cold during winter and may have better success growing indoors as a houseplant.
During extremely hot summer days, Red Bolivian Fuchsia plants can be completely killed off. There isn’t a place in Australia that is immune to those and so plant in full sun with extreme caution. Ideally, keep them covered with some shade (especially the afternoon sun) or grow them in pots so that they can be moved as necessary.
FAMILY:
Onagraceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Sub Tropical, Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
4°C to 30°C / 39 to 86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Moist, well draining soil.
LOCATION:
Part Shade or Filtered Sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 4 metres (14 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 1.2 metres (4 feet)
pH:
5.5-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen, though deciduous in colder climates.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Birds and Bees
MATURITY:
12-18 months
GERMINATION RATES:
93%
GERMINATION TIME:
3-6 weeks, dependent on conditions
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Coming Soon
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No.
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage – 4°C (Fridge). 1-2 years
FACTS ABOUT FUCHSIA BOLIVIANA (Red Bolivian Fuchsia)
After flowering the Bolivian Fuchsia bears small reddish, purple edible fruit.
The ancient Incas cultivated this exotic plant centuries ago.
