Its THAT time again!

[vapalux]

Its Fuchsia time!!

I have just seen the first green shoots of this years hardy fuchsias in the border appearing. They have been through all weathers including the worst winter we have had for a while and they are just beginning to grow!

I don't mind admitting it I love growing fuchsias. I have done it for years and it would be my ideal job to grow them. (apart from an AD of course) I have been on to my beloved for years for a bigger greenhouse but with all my other hobbies, a very firm NO, has been the answer. Then again out of all of my hobbies she does like them, which is more than I can say for my other interests!

From the delicate tiny flowers to the big blowsy basket type . If its a fuchsia I'll grow it. They flower for such a long period and so long as they get a little water will go on until the frosts. They can be grown as hedges, standards espaliers, any shape you can think of.

If you get the chance and have never grown them, give it a go. Its also relaxing.

Yes I know I have gone on so I will put some pictures on now!!

Enjoy

Si

[jdc]

very impressive Si I have been preparing our garden ready for the summer. Have not got a greenhouse but as our small garden is walled and South facing our Fuchsias and Geraniums tend to survive a winter, they are not flowering like yours though. Just bought an olive tree and trying to decide where to plant it.

[DSJ]

Beautiful, I'll now be getting some for our garden in another 6 weeks or so.

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by jdc

very impressive Si I have been preparing our garden ready for the summer. Have not got a greenhouse but as our small garden is walled and South facing our Fuchsias and Geraniums tend to survive a winter, they are not flowering like yours though. Just bought an olive tree and trying to decide where to plant it.

Ah yes, brings back memories of when ole' GrapeNut76 offered his olive branch in the guise of a peace offering. Take about a moden day Trojan Horse.

[vapalux]

Originally Posted by jdc

very impressive Si I have been preparing our garden ready for the summer. Have not got a greenhouse but as our small garden is walled and South facing our Fuchsias and Geraniums tend to survive a winter, they are not flowering like yours though. Just bought an olive tree and trying to decide where to plant it.

HI Martin

Thanks, as you can see I just love growing them. It sounds like you have a perfect spot for overwintering. Its a little more open here and flippin' cold! and they need a bit of protection, unless its a good hardy.

Could you put one of those small plastic greenhouses up and take cuttings?

I'm no genius on Olive trees but I suppose it depends how big you want it to grow.

Best of luck with your Olive tree and fuchsia and geraniums.

Si

[vapalux]

Originally Posted by DSJ

Beautiful, I'll now be getting some for our garden in another 6 weeks or so.

HI David

What sort do you have? or is it whatever takes your eye?

Si

[jdc]

Originally Posted by vapalux

HI Martin

Thanks, as you can see I just love growing them. It sounds like you have a perfect spot for overwintering. Its a little more open here and flippin' cold! and they need a bit of protection, unless its a good hardy.

Could you put one of those small plastic greenhouses up and take cuttings?

I'm no genius on Olive trees but I suppose it depends how big you want it to grow.

Best of luck with your Olive tree and fuchsia and geraniums.

Si

Our garden is a typical victorian townhouse, walled and very small 35 foot by 25 foot. Most plants are in pots and we will probably start the Olive tree in a pot, and change it as it grows that way we can also limit the size it grows. I could put a potting area in to the side of the house but it does not really get enough light.
I have dug up a paved area this year so hope to grow more of our own veg and fruit.
The garden also has an established vine which gives us some grapes.
We have a great council run nursery which has good quality plants (unlike most garden centres these days) at very good prices.

[vapalux]

Sound really nice Martin. your lucky to have such a nursery near you Garden centres are a little expensive!!

Best of luck with the homegrown. My brother in law has just taken over an allotment so he will be growing his own

Si

[bodybump]

Very beautiful Si....looks like garden of eden to me!!!!

[vapalux]

Thanks Oscar.

You got good weather over there. Fair few fuchsias from California!

Si

[Lion]

Si, love to see the pictures of your Fuchsia plants. Over here they do not overwinter so unless you have a greenhouse you have to buy new plants each year. The hanging basket varieties are the most popular plants here in the Chicago area!!!
I like them so much I have a tattoo of one on my wrist!!!

[vapalux]

Originally Posted by Lion

Si, love to see the pictures of your Fuchsia plants. Over here they do not overwinter so unless you have a greenhouse you have to buy new plants each year. The hanging basket varieties are the most popular plants here in the Chicago area!!!
I like them so much I have a tattoo of one on my wrist!!!

Glad you like them. Chicago sounds very much like here, weather wise. Greenhouse and heat or else they are gone. You have any favourites?

A tattoo! You going to post a picture?

Si

[Jimbits76]

As big a queen as I am....I know nothing about flowers.

Whereas many of you have green fingers, most would say that my fingers are coloured...nah let's not go there.

J

[JPersat]

Very beautiful....all I have is a Sage brush here at the apartment, but it only blooms when rain is expected.

[jdc]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

As big a queen as I am....I know nothing about flowers.

Whereas many of you have green fingers, most would say that my fingers are coloured...nah let's not go there.

J

nothing to it old"green tip"1976, just read the labels on the flowers you buy to see where they should be planted, water and feed them.
Go to a jumble and buy a Percy Thrower gardening book (being serious) that will point you in the right direction. The least you should do is grow your own herbs put them in a pot or container.

[Lion]

Si, I'll have to figure out how to post pictures and I'll show you my tattoo!!!

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by jdc

nothing to it old"green tip"1976, just read the labels on the flowers you buy to see where they should be planted, water and feed them.
Go to a jumble and buy a Percy Thrower gardening book (being serious) that will point you in the right direction. The least you should do is grow your own herbs put them in a pot or container.

Don't believe everything I write...I've done some digging in the dirt and pushed some soil about now and then!

J

[jdc]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

Don't believe everything I write...I've done some digging in the dirt and pushed some soil about now and then!

J

I can only imagine how many worms you have turned

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by jdc

I can only imagine how many worms you have turned

Zing!

J

[Rebel]

thanks for the pictures

[Trurolexer]

Very nice!!! Very nice Green House, Buddy!!!

[vapalux]

Originally Posted by Lion

Si, I'll have to figure out how to post pictures and I'll show you my tattoo!!!

Look forward to it!

You have set me off thinking but some of the tattoo parlors and some of the work I have seen done on friends would stop me going in them

Si

[vapalux]

Originally Posted by JPersat

Very beautiful....all I have is a Sage brush here at the apartment, but it only blooms when rain is expected.

Thanks Jarrett .Give it a go . Its worth while especially if it rains!

Si

[vapalux]

Originally Posted by jdc

nothing to it old"green tip"1976, just read the labels on the flowers you buy to see where they should be planted, water and feed them.
Go to a jumble and buy a Percy Thrower gardening book (being serious) that will point you in the right direction. The least you should do is grow your own herbs put them in a pot or container.

Jimbo

Martin has summed it up. Give it a go. You may have to use a dibber

Si