A passion for fuchsias

Members of the public are in for a treat when they visit Otter Nurseries at the beginning of August.

The British Fuchsia Society’s Far South West Show is being held at the garden centre in Brixton, Plymouth on August 4, and visitors will get the opportunity to see hundreds of colourful fuchsias that have been grown in pots, baskets and hanging pots.

Additionally, exhibits will include fuchsias that have been trained as standard, as well as more unusual shapes such as pillars and fans.

Growing fuchsias for show is a serious business in the UK, and there are strict definitions for exhibitors; a shrub is an exhibit with more than one shoot emerging from below compost level whilst a bush is grown on a short stem not exceeding 4cm. ‘Full Baskets’ and ‘Half Baskets’ can be top planted only and may contain more than one plant. The Small Pot Culture class allows fuchsias to be trained into shapes such as fans, pillars or multi-legged small standards on a small scale in a maximum 13cm pot.

Editor and Webmaster at the British Fuchsia Society, John Nicholass said: “Exhibitors travel to the show from all over the country to take part in these shows, and the standard of growing is quite exceptional. The public should expect to see a stunning array of colours in the 36 different classes.

“Hopefully some of the visitors will be inspired to grow more varieties of this beautiful plant in their own baskets and pots next year.”

The show is open from 12 to 4pm and is free to visit. Awards will be presented to exhibitors from 4pm onwards.