Creeping fushia is a deciduous, prostrate shrub endemic to the North Island of New Zealand where it is found along the coast including dunes, salt marshes, and gravel beaches.. It is a member of the evening primrose family (Onagraceae) along with godetia and gaura. The heart shaped leaves are about ¾” long and form a dense mat. The upward facing flowers are ¼ inch long and produced singly in summer. They lack petals but have sharply reflexed green sepals tipped with purple, blue pollen, and a floral tube that is greenish-yellow at first turning banana yellow and then orange over time. Red plum-like fruits e of grapes and often with a waxy bloom, are produced in the fall. Plants make an attractive slowly spreading groundcover and are especially pretty in hanging baskets. They prefer cool temperatures and do not tolerate high humidity.
Type: Tender deciduous prostrate shrub
Bloom: Small, rainbow colored petaless flowers in summer
Size: 3“-2’ H x 3-4’ W
Light: Partial shade
Soil: Fertile, moderately moist, very well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 9-10
Care: Feed every two weeks during the bloom season; shelter from cold drying winds
Pests and Diseases: None of significance
Propagation: Seed, semi-hardwood cuttings, layering
Karen Meyers