Fuchsia 'Mrs Popple'

This may be considered a most unusual choice for Plant of the Month in December, but the group of Fuchsia 'Mrs Popple' greeting you as you come through the Grand Entrance is still looking really good and brightens up the dull, damp, winter days.

The majority of the genus Fuchsia originate from Central and South America, and were introduced to the UK during the 18th and 19th centuries by various plant hunters of the time. The first Fuchsia triphylla was discovered in the Caribbean and was named after the German botanist Leonhart Fuchs (1501-1566). Many of them are, of course, tender in our climate, but there are some, particularly the small flowered varieties, that are very hardy. These hardy varieties including F. magellanica, have been extensively hybridised.

'Mrs Popple' is a vigorous free-flowering variety, and one of the best of the hardier sorts. She is an old variety, known since 1934, discovered in a neighbour's garden by Clarence Elliott, and named after her. A splendid variety with abundant crimson and purple flowers of rounded outline and complete hardiness.