Popular plants: Fuchsia

These wonderfully versatile shrubs brighten summer and autumn with their unmistakable blooms

Climbing fuchsia 'Lady Boothby'

Fuchsias

Fuchsia 'Apricot Ice'

* Type of plant: Hardy (F. magellanica, F. 'Genii'), half-hardy (F.'Swingtime') and tender flowering shrubs. These may be evergreen or deciduous; trailing and spreading; most are treated as half-hardy perennials in frost-prone areas.
* Habit: Pendent flowers (usually); may have a trailing or spreading habit; good plants for training.
* Good for: shrubs in mixed borders, as flowering hedges (hardy types); trained as espaliers or fans against warm walls or as standards or columns (hardy and other types); as patio pot plants and for hanging baskets.
* Conditions needed: a moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade with shelter from strong winds.
* Best features: Drooping flowers in a broad range of vibrant and muted colours, which may be single, semi-double or double, or long and thin (F. fulgens, F. 'Thalia'); very versatile.
* Care tip: Prune back to an established framework in early spring.

New Fuchsia 'Apricot Ice'

First seen at Chelsea last year, the unusual cream and rich-apricot colouring will make a point of interest in borders or containers. Fuchsia 'Apricot Ice', exclusive to CS Lockyer Fuchsias, is vigorous and free-flowering. 'Apricot Ice' is a half-hardy cultivar, easily overwintered in a cool greenhouse. Young plants in peat blocks cost £2.25 plus p&p.

The only climbing fuchsia!

Fuchsia 'Lady Boothby' (main pic), originally introduced in the 1930s, is sold by a number of specialist nurseries and is now becoming more widely available. Reputed to be 'the world's only climbing fuchsia' by Thomson & Morgan, this tall, hardy variety can reach 5m (15ft) if the long shoots are supported or trained against a wall. This is listed in the top 10 bestsellers (August 2007) from Thompson & Morgan.

* Adapted by Sarah Brocklehurst.