(Genii Fuchsia) Chartreuse foliage so bright that it almost appears golden surrounds the dramatic tubular flowers of Fuchsia 'Genii'. The flower's skirt-like sepals, which are often described as "cerise" - sort of a cherry red - flip up over dark violet petals from which long, graceful, cerise anther and stigma filaments dangle.
This mid-sized shrub is attractive whether massed as a long flowering hedge or grown as a single, dramatic container plant. It's also useful as a summer annual in areas where cold winters don't allow its survival as a perennial. Hummingbirds enjoy its rich nectar.
Genii is often called a Hardy Fuchsia, due to being related to the most cold-tolerant of Fuchsias - South American Fuchsia magellanica, a native of the continent's far southern edge along the Straits of Magellan. So, Genii is ideal for cool, moist settings, such as along the Pacific Northwest coast. It needs plentiful shade, whether deep or partial, because it's damaged by too much direct sun. Genii also requires rich, well-drained soil and an application of fertilizer every two to three weeks.
Victor Reiter, Jr. (1903-1986), a founder of the California Horticultural Society, hybridized Fuchsia 'Genii' in 1951. The Fuchsia genus is mainly native to Mexico, Central America, and South America, and was first introduced to horticulture around 1700. Fuchsia hybridization was popular in Europe by the early 1800s, and the hybrids traveled to San Francisco in the mid-1850s. Today, it's estimated there are 110 species and thousands of varieties of Fuchsias worldwide.
One way that Fuchsias are categorized is by number of petals. Genii is a single, which means its flowers have 4 petals. Doubles have 8 or more petals whereas semi-doubles have 5,6, or 7.
Fuchsia 'Genii' is so beloved in the UK that the Royal Horticultural Society gave it an Award of Garden Merit (AGM) in 1993. AGMs are based on characteristics such as resilience, ease of care, resistance to pests, and stability of appearance. In short, Genii Fuchsia is reliable and pretty. We highly recommend it as well.
(Golden Bloodflower) Easy to cultivate, whether as an annual or tender perennial, Golden Bloodflower is a South American native that Monarchs and other butterflies love. Unlike Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), this species doesn't have a taproot. This means that it is easier to control the plant's spread.
(Tree Sage)Whether you call it a shrub or a tree, Salvia arborsecens rises up to an impressive 12 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Commonly known as Sage Tree, this Salvia grows well in full sun, but prefers partial shade.
(Balkan Sage) Violet-blue whorls of flowers and plentiful, fuzzy, basal leaves that reach an impressive length of 18 inches are two notable features about this hardy, herbaceous perennial, which is native to the Southeastern Balkan Peninsula.
(Elk Chantily Lace Jame Sage) What color are the flowers of this FBTS introduction? Lavender? Periwinkle? Taffy? Yes to all for this hard to describe but easy to love plant.
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Here are some guidelines for success with this plant in your garden.
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Exposure
This plant tolerates deep shade almost all day, such as under dense trees or on the north side of a building. Few Salvias can do this; those that do are highly valued.
This plant thrives when planted where it will receive morning sun followed by afternoon shade, such as on the eastern side of a house. Make sure it isn’t exposed to midday and afternoon sun, which can damage tender leaves during the summer when sunlight is more intense due to being more direct.
Although midday is when sunlight is most direct, it takes time for the atmosphere to heat up and for heat to peak at sometime in the afternoon. Salvias that prefer cooler temperatures are protected by afternoon shade during the hottest time of year.
This plant grows well in partial shade, such as the kind on the edge of woodlands or under deciduous trees with breaks in the foliage through which dappled sunlight penetrates. Many Salvias thrive in partial shade, including ones that spend part of their day in full sunlight. Some species need partial shade to overcome severe heat and dry soil.
Garden Uses
In cold climates, this Salvia is a good choice to use as a summer blooming annual.
Plant it in your garden well after the threat of last frost in your area.
Capable of quick growth and floriferous long-lasting bloom, tender perennial Salvias are a don't-miss addition to an annual flowerbed. Although perennial in the warmer climates of their native lands, tender or half-hardy perennials are planted as annuals in locations where frosts and freezes are likely to occur in fall, winter and spring.
This plant grows well in an outdoor container, such as on a patio.
Some containerized Salvias leaf out and flower year after year following a period of dormancy. Annuals in containers may die back and appear to grow again when they reseed.
During extreme heat, check the soil in container plantings once or twice daily to be sure it doesn't completely dry out. Feel its surface for coolness, then gently poke a finger into the soil to check for dryness.
Growing Habit
To create a harmonious landscape plan, it is important to consider the heights of individual plants.
Height also affects function. Short Salvias often make excellent ground covers that conserve soil moisture and discourage weeds while also brightening your yard. Medium-height Salvias, such as ones 36 inches tall, often are ideal border plants. A tall Salvia planted singly can highlight a landscape; multiple plantings can form an attractive screen.
Shrubs are characterized not only by bushy foliage but also by woody stems.
Shrubby Salvias may be evergreen or deciduous. Some Winter-blooming, deciduous species lose their foliage during hot weather. Some Salvias, classified as subshrubs, have a combination of woody and tender, herbaceous growth.
Salvia shrubs range from tall, upright species to ground covers of short to moderate height. Their spread may match or exceed their height
By considering the width of a plant, you can determine how many to place in a row or what other plants to grow with it.
For example, a narrow, moderate-height Salvia may look good interplanted with bushier species, kind of like Mutt and Jeff.
In contrast, wide-spreading Salvias are economical for hiding lengths of wall and fence or for creating hedge-like divisions in a yard.
Plant hardiness Zones defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture tell you the minimum temperatures a plant can withstand in your garden. The USDA divides the nation into winter climate areas from coldest (Zone 1) to warmest (Zone 11).
However, it is sometimes possible to grow a Zone 6 Salvia as a perennial in Zone 5 if you provide preferential care, such as winter mulching and a location sheltered from harsh winds. In contrast, a Zone 9 Salvia may act like a perennial in Zone 10 if given a bit of shade or extra water.
Water Needs
This plant needs regular watering based on what is appropriate to your local conditions.
In some extremely hot, arid climates, this may mean daily watering in Summer. Although many drought-resistant Salvias survive on little to no watering due to local rainfall and deep roots meeting their moisture needs, others need regular doses. The size and frequency of the dose depends on your climate.
Blooming Season
This plant reaches peak bloom in Fall or flowers for much of the season.
It may begin flowering much earlier in the year. Bloom time for some Salvias lasts from Spring till first frost. Others begin flowering in Summer and continue into Fall. There are also Salvias that don’t bloom until late Fall and continue into Winter if grown in mild-Winter areas.
There is a great deal of overlap in blooming seasons for Salvias.
This plant reaches peak bloom in Summer or flowers for much of the season.
Lots of Summer bloomers start flowering in Spring; others begin in Summer and keep up the show of color until frost.
There is a great deal of overlap in blooming seasons for Salvias.
Wildlife
Based on our experience and reports from customers, hummingbirds (Trochilidae spp.) love this plant.
Hummingbirds exist only in the Americas where their 300-plus species are particularly fond of the nectar in brightly colored Salvias from the Western Hemisphere. However, if favorites aren’t available, they dine on the nectar of most Salvias.
Hummingbirds repay thoughtful plantings by helping to pollinate your garden