Edwin Goulding. Fuchsias: The Complete Guide. New Edition. Timber Press. 2002.

Every gardener has seen hanging baskets of Fuchsias in the late spring or early summer. These colorful plants are well known as shade lovers. Unfortunately, few gardeners are aware of the wide variety of species available in this plant genus.

The book begins with several chapters discussing fuchsias in history and the types available. Then it moves to soils, nutrition and propagation methods. A discussion of bedding fuchsias is followed by chapters on growing fuchsia standards and other shapes, fuchsias in greenhouses or conservatories, and their use in baskets and other containers.

I enjoyed the chapter on hardy fuchsias and their use in gardens. Ornamental foliage isn't often considered when discussing fuchsias but many have variegated leaves in assorted colors. Fuchsias with unique characteristics are covered in a single chapter.

Fuchsias, like so many plants, have a society dedicated to them. Some of the tasks involved in learning to exhibit fuchsias is covered in a chapter immediately preceding one that gives a calendar for the fuchsia growing year. Those who get "hooked" on these plants will find this particularly valuable information to have.

In my opinion, the chapter on identifying problems in a fuchsia plant is one of the best I've seen in any gardening book. It lists problems, grouped by plant part, and suggests causes. The next chapter deals with some of the common pests and diseases affecting these plants.

Gardeners and Horticulturists love to create "new and better" plants from anything nature gives us. Thus, the chapter on hybridizing will be interesting to many who read this book. I personally found the listing of fuchsia species much more interesting because of my preference for growing species plants.

Recommendation

This book has something for every type of gardener from the houseplant enthusiast to the professional. I do have some concerns regarding the book's organization of topics. I think the chapters need to be grouped with those talking about history and current uses for fuchsia in on section, followed by a section on cultivation (including pests, diseases, problems), and a final section describing the species. Then an appendix would have been better for the discussion on exhibiting these plants at garden shows.

Although I disagree with the book's organization, its excellent line drawings and wonderful photographs makes it an excellent book for those who must cope with shade gardening.