Fuchsias have day in sun

A Dunedin gardener tells Gillian Vine that "it's time to say it for fuchsias".

"Everyone loves roses and rhodies and lilies, so let's say it for the fuchsias today," says Margaret Diack, leading the way into her Dunedin garden.

She has dozens of fuchsias, from tiny Naomi through tricky-to-grow Lord Lonsdale, fat-budded Devonshire Dumpling and New Zealand-bred Snow Burner.

Most are grown in pots, although several have their roots deep in the well-manured, moist soil. Garden-grown specimens include Crisp, the favourite of her husband "Tuppy", a former All Black.

Manure and moisture are the secrets, Mrs Diack says, and if the gardener gets those two things right, they will have fuchsias in bloom from October to June.

"I start pruning in June," she explains.

"I cut them [fuchsias] back hard and give them a good feed of sheep manure and blood and bone. Then about December, I give each plant a teaspoon of potash to harden them up."

Even if the blooms wilt in hot weather, keeping their roots damp will ensure they spring back, she says.

Asked if her fuchsias get frosted, Mrs Diack laughs.

Several years ago, when the Dunedin Fuchsia Group ran Fuchsiarama, judges from the North Island expressed amazement at the way fuchsias grew in Dunedin, especially as Ashburton growers said they had to put their fuchsias in shade houses to prevent frost damage.

Mrs Diack has used frost cloth in the past - "A few I was concerned about getting frosted, so I ran around and put their nighties on" - but she no longer does, as the plants cope without being covered.

The Diacks have lived in their St Clair house for more than 30 years.

"When we came here, there was nothing . . . so we planned this garden, starting by planting to try to get shelter," she says.