In the Beginning

It was always a dream of mine to own and operate and plant nursery. I remember when I was in my final year at Western driving past a nursery everyday and dreaming over the "For Sale" sign in front. Of course I had no money at all, just years' worth of student debt so it never happened.

Later I grew orchids which was fine for awhile but ultimately proved far too slow for me. It was only when I discovered fuchsias that I found my calling. I vowed that some day, when I had no job and lived on the west coast I would start my "Fuchsia Ranch" so that day is now and let the fun begin.

Fuchsia 'Seventh Heaven'

Fuchsias are really fast and easy to grow. They are a cinch to propagate and there are hundreds and hundreds of varieties for the crazed collector to accumulate. They are blousey and outrageous, appearing in a variety of colors, all quite over the top. Singles and doubles, uprights and lax, they may also be the messiest of flowers, littering their prolific blossoms all over the ground beneath when they've had enough of them. The many combinations of shades of pink, purple, cream make me happy. I once grew them in Washington DC of all places, probably the worst place to grow them but I did anyway, keeping them on a shaded porch and under lights in the winter. They do not favor heat and humid (as in DC), they thrive in cooler climes. Bees adore them.

Swan's in Victoria

When I first visited Victoria many years ago I was blown away by the huge, gorgeous hanging pots all over the city. Enormous masses of color - annuals or flowering plants grown as annuals. Immediately I decided that I wanted to quit my job, move to Victoria and grow flowering pots. I didn't. Life happens. So now, in addition to the "The Fuchsia Ranch", I have started "The Pot House".

The greenhouse is being built, the first 20 fuchsia varieties have been collected and are thriving, and the first pot was created, looking great.

On my way.