Fuchsia enthusiasts like to be amongst the first to try out new cultivars and to whet your appetite I have listed below a resume of the new releases from our 'local' specialist fuchsia nurseries Mike Oxtoby and Kathleen Muncaster Fuchsias.
Please note that the descriptions given are quoted from their catalogues, hence glowing! However, I do consider the Oxtobys and Muncasters great judges of good potential, being at the forefront of many impressive introductions over the years, so their 'hunches' must be well worth following!
Many a fuchsia introduced with great gusto has swiftly disappeared from the scene again. Others gathered up many red cards in the first year of release and have gone on to become firm favourites on the show benches.
This year's selection certainly looks like having some potential show stoppers amongst them and also some very welcome additions to the hardy range.

KATHLEEN MUNCASTER FUCHSIAS (Closed on Wednesdays)
18 Field Lane, Morton Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. DN21 3BY
) 01427- 612329  www.kathleenmuncasterfuchsias.co.uk

Kathleen and Jim include the following new introductions for 2002 with their thanks once again to the hybridisers who have produced these plants. "Real and worthwhile additions to the fuchsia spectrum."

Clare Frisby (Bielby/Oxtoby) Medium sized single flower. Thin tube and upswept sepals white flushed pink. Corolla deep carmine rose. Will grow as a compact but lax bush and lends itself to most types of training. Branches easily and flowers very heavily. (Also available from Oxtoby's)
Four Farthings (Gwen Rolt) A medium sized, chubby double. Short tube and upswept sepals are red. Curved petals are lilac heavily streaked and lined with pink. Thought to be at least as hardy as one of its parents Tennessee Waltz and grows to about the same size.
Helen Nicholls (Nicholls) Semi to double. Short medium tube pale pink striped darker. Slightly upswept sepals are pink with green tips. Petals are half flared and very pale pink, veined pink. Bushy and long flowering. Delicate colouring which has been favourably commented on by many people.
Remember Eric (Eric Johns) Has grown in our garden for the last six years and has been one of the first to flower in each year. Short fat tube is creamy white and upswept sepals are pale pink tipped green. The square corolla is pink with a deeper edge to each petal. Grows to about 2ft. and is covered with flowers for week after week until frosted. An outstanding addition to the range of hardy fuchsias and the seedling Eric was most pleased with.

OXTOBY'S NURSERY (Closed on Mondays)
74 Westgate, North Cave, Brough, East Yorkshire. HU15 2NJ     ) 01430 - 423049

Alderford (Clitheroe) A wonderful upright single with a most striking colour combination of white tube and upswept sepals and a square bell-shaped corolla in a most beautiful blue. Certain to appeal to exhibitors!
Bella Bella (Margaret Hall) Strong upright, balanced growth with good leaf colouring. The medium sized single flowers have a blush-rose tube and sepals which arch back. The corolla opens a wonderful light blue, ageing to a lovely mauve. This is going to be very popular for the patio.
Katy M (Clitheroe) The tube and upswept sepals of this single cultivar are white tipped with green. The corolla opens sea lavender and fades to a rosy mauve on maturity. Fairly lax growth which breaks well and lends itself to making beautiful hanging pots and baskets.

Tubular Bells (Bielby/Oxtoby) A cross between F.triphylla and F.magdalenae with many of the characteristics of both. Long tubed bright orange flowers borne in racemes. Sprouts well when pinched and makes a nice bush. (Also available from Kahleen Muncaster Fuchsias)