By Bobbie Stephenson, CNPS-San Diego Newsletter Editor
For flowers during the summer, California Fuchsia can’t be beat. California Fucshias are perennial subshubs native to California and Baja California foothills and coastal areas where they grow on dry slopes and ridges below 6,900 feet. They depend on hummingbirds for pollination. In native habitat, and often in the garden, they provide one of hummingbirds’ principal nectar sourcesduring the summer months when few other species bloom. The bright orange-red flowers contrast brightly with the gray-green to light gray foliage.
California Fuchsia is in the family Onagraceae, which is the willow herb or evening primrose family; Epilobium is the willow herb genus and Oenothera is the evening primrose genus, and 20 other genera are in the family. Also in the Onagraceae, the common hanging-basket fuchsias (genus Fuchsia) are native to the tropical Americas; no Fuchsia species are native to the California Floristic Province. E. canum was formerly known as Zauschneria californicum and E. canum ssp. canum was Z. cana. There are a few subspecies that intergrade in Southern California, and some cultivars are offered by native plant nurseries.
Easy to grow California Fuchsias should be planted in full sun or, where it is extremely hot and dry, they can be planted in lightly shaded areas. Near the coast they will likely not need supplemental water after they are established, but in hotter drier inland areas they may need supplemental water about once per month during the dry summer and fall months. They can also be planted near a wet area to reduce the need for summer water.
The plants self-seed and also spread by rhizomes. To keep the plants healthy once they are established and to prevent them from becoming lanky, cut them back almost to the ground as soon as flowering ends. California Fuchsia is on several fire resistant plant lists, including County of San Diego.