Tree Fuchsia

Frost Tolerance: Young trees are frost sensitive, but mature trees are hardy to 25ºF (-4ºC)

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Southern Africa

Growth Habits: Evergreen or semi-deciduous, medium to large tree with a rounded crown, 35 to 50 feet tall and wide (11-15 m), or more; rough, greyish brown bark; even pinnate leaves, with 4 to 6 pairs of glossy green leaflets, 0.8 to 1.6 inches long (2-4 cm), young leaves are reddish

Watering Needs: Moderate water in summer

Propagation: Seed (no pre-treatment needed), truncheon cuttings

The genus name honors Richard van der Schot, while the species epithet 'brachypetala' comes from the Latin for 'short petals'.

Blooming Habits:
Masses of rich deep red flowers in short panicles. They have very small petals, while the sepals form a nectar filled cup. The Tree Fuchsia blooms in the spring, while the trees are still young, generally in 5 years from seed.

Fruiting Habits:
Woody, dark brown, flattened pod, 4 inches long (10 cm), 1 inch wide (2.5 cm) containing bean-looking, seeds, edible after roasting, that have been used as coffee substitute.