RHS Master Grower: Roualeyn Fuchsias
Leading fuchsia specialist and gold medal-winning nursery, Roualeyn Fuchsias, was the Master Grower featuring at Tatton Park in 2018
Whether it’s advice on dealing with the sap-sucking fuchsia gall mite, tips on the best varieties to choose, or information on how to propagate from semi-ripe, softwood or hardwood cuttings, our Master Grower, Roualeyn Fuchsias, were on hand at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2018 to answer visitors' burning questions.
What did Roualeyn Fuchsias have on display?
The centrepiece of Roualeyn’s display was its fuchsia carousel, a 20ft-wide circular display resembling a fairground ride. It was first seen in 2017 at the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show and housed a hanging-basket display.
There were also two flower beds – one featuring hardy fuchsias and the other showcasing tender types. More than 300 plants spanning at least 100 varieties made up the Master Grower display.
Roualeyn Fuchsias: from the beginning
When Doug Jones and wife Gwyneth moved to Trefriw, Conwy, Wales, in 1975, with sons Stephen and Colin, the seeds were sown for a new nursery business that would later become one of the best-known names on the flower show circuit.
In the late 1970s, Doug started growing fuchsias as a hobby and entering local shows as an amateur exhibitor. By 1986, Doug and his family were exhibiting at larger shows. “In 1988 our son Colin, although still at school and aged just 15, put on his first display of fuchsias at The Royal Show in Stoneleigh. The show organiser said Colin was their youngest ever exhibitor.”
Inspired, Colin went on to study at the Welsh College of Horticulture, while during the early 1990s Roualeyn Fuchsias started exhibiting at RHS London Flower Shows in Westminster, which led to it being invited to exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. “This was a great honour and to this day, Chelsea remains extremely important to our nursery and just as exciting as the first time we attended.” Colin took over running Roualeyn in 2010.
In 2000, 2001 and 2002, Roualeyn Fuchsias won the prestigious Best-in-Show award at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, RHS Flower Show Tatton Park and BBC Gardeners’ World Live. They've won continuous Gold medals at all RHS shows over the past five years, and also received the best new display award at 2017 RHS Chatsworth Flower Show for their fuchsia carousel display.
50,000 plants, 400 varieties and two more
The nursery now offers more than 400 varieties of fuchsia, with around 50,000 plants on site during peak growing season. At present, the nursery is concentrating on expanding its mail-order operation and growing its online shop, which it says is “really taking off because of the growth of online shopping”.
In 2004 the nursery celebrated 25 years of growing, and to mark the occasion Roualeyn introduced a fuchsia called ‘Patricia Hodge’ at RHS Chelsea. Doug says the variety “remains as popular as ever”.
The nursery will unveil two new fuchsias at Tatton Park. Fuchsia ‘Esmay’ (purple-and-pink flowers) will be named after Colin’s daughter, and Fuchsia ‘Ela’ (red-and-white flowers) will be named after his niece. The children are expected to be at the show to name their fuchsias on press day. Both introductions are single, bush-type fuchsias, but are not hardy.
Five top fuchsias from Roualeyn Fuchsias
Colin Jones picks his top five fuchsias.
Fuchsia ‘Linda Hinchcliffe’
Introduced in 2017, this single white-and-purple flowering bush type is claimed to be the only hardy variety that bears upwards-facing flowers.
Fuchsia ‘Hawkshead’
An old traditional-style hardy variety with pure-white single flowers.
Fuchsia ‘Deltas Sarah’
An unusual hardy fuchsia bearing single flowers with purple-blue centres and white sepals.
Fuchsia ‘Sir Matt Busby’
A free-flowering trailing fuchsia. Roualeyn Nursery says its double blooms are “as close to red-and-white as you can get”.
Fuchsia ‘Bella Rosella’
Huge double pink-and-magenta flowers will “fill the palm of your hand,” according to the nursery.
What is an RHS Master Grower?
The RHS Master Grower scheme launched at the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show in July 2016 and continues to shine the spotlight on the UK’s finest specialist nurseries. Master Grower nurseries must offer excellent customer service and propagate a high percentage of plant material at their own nursery. They are focused on ethical and sustainable plant production and breed their own varieties. Master Growers produce unusual plants that thrive in UK gardens and have a proven track record of supporting RHS shows – with a proud collection of awards and medals. They’ll inspire visitors at shows by sharing expert gardening advice and offering practical demonstrations.
