Native to South and Central America, and the South Pacific, there are about a hundred species of the fuchsia (commonly misspelled fuschsia or fuschia), almost all of which are flowering shrubs. One exception is kotukutuku, a tree native to New Zealand, which grows up to 50 feet tall, far dwarfing the shrubs which tend to reach around 10 to 12 feet when fully grown. The flowers -and there are lots of flowers, for the fuchsia blooms profusely during the summer and fall - droop delicately from the parent, and are a very decorative shape.

In color the fuchsia often has bright red sepals and purple petals, but the colours can vary quite a lot; some have white or yellow coloring, while others lean from orange, through red, to dark red and a dark purple or dark blue color. They aren’t often a very fragrant flower, but the beauty, grace and delicacy of the flower more than make up for it. They really are a delight to see.

As for the flower meaning of the fuchsia, some say it’s confiding love. Some say it’s amiability (but frankly, who wants to be told they’re “amiable”?) We much prefer the meaning most often given to the fuchsia in Japan - it’s a symbol of good taste. Because, frankly, the fuchsia portrays such wonderful good taste, it is always as appropriate floral gift.