Thyme-Leaved Fuchsia

Thyme-Leaved Fuchsia Overview

Fuchsia thymifolia is an attractive species in the evening primrose family, Onagraceae. Flowers are tubular and bright pink-purple to red in colour. It has a clumping, bushy habit and is half-hardy, coping with temperatures as low as -5 degrees Celsius, plant in a position of full or partial sun, in moist, well-draining soil for optimal growth. Fuchsias in the Encliandra section originate from Central America in tropical rainforest environments, typically at high altitudes over 10,000 feet. A section is a taxonomic grouping below genus, but above species, it is used to organise genera with hundreds of species. These plants are characterised by possessing only 4 stamens protruding from the flower tube, as opposed to the usual 8. The other 4 are enclosed within the tube, the term Encliandra translates to enclosed male, referring to these structures. Encliandra Fuchsias are also often termed Miniature Fuchsias.