Fuchsia boliviana Carrière var. alba
white Bolivian fuchsia
A tender, rare evergreen shrub to around 4m in height with large, lush green elliptic leaves. Pendent panicles of slender-tubed waxy white flowers, with light red marks at the base of the petals, appear in late summer to autumn, followed by edible red fruits, with a flavour similar to kiwi fruit but not as sweet. Ideal for a conservatory or greenhouse for a tropical feel
Synonyms
Fuchsia 'Boliviana Alba'Fuchsia boliviana 'Alba'
see moreFuchsia boliviana Carrière var. luxurians 'Alba'
Fuchsia corymbiflora alba
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | White Red | Green | Red | |
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Onagraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Although Fuchsia berries are edible, most are not particularly tasty and are sparsely produced on plants. Fuchsia plants are generally grown as an ornamental and not for fruit crops within the UK
- Genus
Fuchsia can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or trees, rarely perennials, with opposite or whorled leaves and usually pendent flowers with conspicuous tubular calyx, 4 spreading sepals and 4 erect petals
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Ideal for growing under glass, or in containers that can be brought indoors to overwinter. Grow in peat-free multipurpose potting compost, in bright filtered light with good ventilation. From spring to summer apply a general liquid fertiliser monthly. Keep just moist over winter. See tender fuchsia cultivation for more detailed advice
Propagation
Propagate by softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Edible fruit
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, fuchsia gall mite, fuchsia flea beetle, glasshouse red spider mite and vine weevil
Diseases
May be susceptible to fuchsia rust, grey moulds and honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.