Is it a color or a plant?  That vivid reddish purple we know as fuchsia is named for the plant that wears it.  No other flower bears such bright hues of bright reds, purples, pinks, oranges and combinations thereof.  Such colorful flowers invite its equally colorful pollinator, the hummingbird.

Fuchsias come from South America on up through Mexico and are adapted best to areas with cool, humid summers- like San Francisco and Mill Valley!  Inland they prefer some shade and regular watering to keep them happy.  The Spanish name pendientes de la reina (queen’s earrings) aptly describe the pendulous eardrop shaped flowers of the species.  The hybrid fuchsias, which we see most commonly as a hanging basket plant, are fuller and resemble a fairy party dress or ballerina in a tutu.

Fuchsia flower on new wood so are best pruned for shape in mid February.  They will flush with new growth in spring and begin blossoming in May.  Flowers are most abundant in the summer and early fall.  You may find that fuchsia may begin to set fruit, especially once the humming birds find them.  The fruits are edible and taste subtly of grape.  It is best to snip off the fruits if they are many to keep the plant in flower.  Feed monthly with a liquid fertilizer such as Maxsea 16-16-16 spring through fall.