Fuchsia

Like you Mark I love Fuchsias. I've got about 140 diferent varieties. But they're all hopeless this year. I was going to post lots of photos of them but there are very few flowers as yet. I think it's because I don't have anywhere to keep them properly since moving here, and the weather has been so bad aswell. I've never entered them into a show. I would become a bag of nerves doing a thing like that.
Deep purple is a particularly showy one. Put photos of them when they flower won't you. I'd be interested to see what other varieties you've got. : ) As for Begonias I like them but don't have much success. I think the foliage leaf ones are my favourites, although I do like the pendulous ones aswell.

My fuchsias are very slow to flower this year as well , but are starting to show buds at last , the Begonias on the other hand are amazing , never a dull moment with plants eh ? you never know whats going to heppen with them ! lol

Knowing how successful you are with Begonias, Mark, I have no doubt that you will grow wonderful Fuchsias too. How you would transport Delphiniums in full bloom I really cannot imagine! Good luck!!!

Blodyn, you must really love Fuchsia's to have 140 varieties. I've only just started to order some for the first time, although there were always some in my parents garden. I have, or have on order, "Swing time" "Snowburner" "Deep Purple" "Shrimp Cocktail" Delta Sarah" "Dollar Princess" and an unnamed one from a garden centre, so far.
Weemamabell, You certainly don't know what's going to happen with them - but thats part of the enjoyment. Although if i had more idea of which are going to make show plants there wouldn't be a need to grow quite so many of each type (less work).
Spritzhenry, I must admit that i hadn't thought that far ahead, yet, i know that Blackmore&Langdon show large Delphiniums with their Begonias at a lot of shows, i might write and ask them for advice before i get to that stage.

Hi, Re Fuchsias - "Shrimp Cocktail" - I've never heard of that one. It must be new. I'll look forward to seeing what it's like. "Dollar Princess" is hardy. I've got a photo of it, and two photos of "Swingtime", take a look if you like. I started growing them a number of years ago when a colleague brought some cuttings to work. Then I saw a new Fuchsia nursery near Carmarthen so I could buy often and over the years I've built up quite a collection. I find them addictive. Hope you enjoy them.

"Shrimp Cocktail" "Dollar Princess" and "Delta Sarah" were on offer together from Thompson & Morgan recently. I think it was "Delta Sarah" that caught my eye as it looked blue in colour (and white).

I think i've just seen "Shrimp Cocktail" in Jacque's photo's Blodyn, i'm sure you'll see it though.

Mark - BEWARE of T&M, won't you! Lots of us have had bad experiences with plants from them.

Thanks for the warning Spritzhenry. Now i've read your comment i do remember reading something about T&M at GOY.

I've just seen Jaque's photo of Shrimp Cocktail. It's very pretty. Oh dear, The trouble with Fuchsias is the more I see the more I want !
Since I've lived here I've lost some of mine because I don't have anywhere decent to keep them in winter. So I'm going to a Fuchsia nursery near Barry today to get some replacements. Between the replacements and any others that will find their way into the trolly , and also my friend's who is just as fanatical as me, I hope there'll be enough room in the car . lol

Space is always in short supply in my greenhouses / garden too. I have the same problem of seeing and wanting more beautiful Begonias, and now that i've started looking at the different Fuchsia's i can see the same happening with them - perhaps i need to stop looking. lol.