Common Name: Trailing Fuchsia

General Information

Fuchsia procumbens is a prostrate, creeping, deciduous shrub, sometimes scrambling through low shrubs. It produces a cluster of very slender, wiry, branched stems up to 100cm long[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used as a ground cover.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

New Zealand - North Island.

Habitat

Sandy, gravelly or rocky places near the coast - usually above the high tide mark, but occasionally covered by extra high tides[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.15 m
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Fuchsia procumbens is only hardy in the mildest parts of the temperate zone, tolerating short-lived temperatures down to about -3°c[], It grows and fruits well in Cornwall, UK (hardiness zone 8)[]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[].
Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil[]. Succeeds in a good loam if sand and leafmold are added[]. Plants flower better when grown in a poor sandy soil[].
In the wild this species is said to be trioecious - the individual plant may bear bisexual flowers or flowers that are either all male or all female[]. The form cultivated in Britain is self-fertile[].
Fuchsia species flower and fruit mainly on new wood produced in the same growing season. Any pruning, therefore, is best carried out at the start of the growing season, cutting out old wood in order to encourage vigorous new growth[].
The plant produces long trailing stems and grows well in hanging baskets[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
A good bee plant[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. It might be edible, but it is not very nice[]. The bright red to magenta, oval fruit is about 18mm long[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant makes a carpet of growth and can be used for ground cover when spaced about 60cm apart each way[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[] though it can also be sown in the spring[]. Surface sow the seed in pots in a warm greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out[]. Germination should take place in less than 6 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Inter-nodal cuttings of greenwood, 5 - 8cm long, May/early summer in a frame. Quick and easy, a high percentage take[, ]. Overwinter in the greenhouse for the first year and plant out after the last expected frosts.
Inter-nodal cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame. Very quick and easy, treat as greenwood cuttings above[].
Cuttings usually succeed at any time during the growing season[].