Hummingbird Fuchsia 'Select Mattole'

Wed, 12/08/2010 - 1:12pm — Kathy Ormiston

Photo Credit:

Vera Kark, PADG

Botanical Name:

Epilobium septentrionale 'Select Mattole'

Pronunciation:

(ep-il-LOW-bee-um sep-ten-trio-NAH-lee)

Common Name:

Hummingbird Fuchsia 'Select Mattole'

Plant Type:

Shrub

Mature Size:

1 ft tall and 2 ft. wide

Water Requirements:

Very Low: water deeply several times a summer

Sun/Shade Requirements:

Full to half sun

Flower Color :

Red orange

Wildlife:

Attracts hummingbirds

If you are searching for a summer blooming California native, put California fuchsias at the top of your list. Hummingbirds love them and so do we.

There are a number of cultivars out there, but one of our favorites is 'Select Mattole'. It has wonderful silver foliage and sweet red orange tubular blooms. We love the fact that it is well behaved -- it stays compact and doesn't spread.

The book California Native Plants for the Garden recommends cutting California fuchsias back to one inch stubs in the fall and winter. The book also suggests pinching the outer tips in late May or June to prevent flopping. With 'Select Mattole' we haven't found this to be necessary, but with other California fuchias you might want to give this a try.

We have learned that California fuchias look better with a once a month deep watering. It is not critical, but you will have a lusher looking plant with occasional water.

California fuchias used to be known as Zauschnerias, but botanists have recently reclassified them as Epilobiums. Nurseries may still used the name Zauschneria.