The best soil combination is one part peat, one part loam, and one part leaf mould. These components need to be mixed thoroughly, broken down rather fine, and make sure there is a good drainage system before using it for planting.
Each spring brings new varieties of fuschia, some that stand up and some that are too weak to survive. The white corollaed species generally cannot be grown outside of a greenhouse. The variety with the double corolla is a very showy variety, and works really well in a planter as a showpiece or focal point, but not as well in a garden because the multiple floral leaves will detract from the simplicity of the flower.
The Fuschia Coccinea is a stunning flower with purple and white sepals and corolla. The Fuschia serratifolia has a scarlet tube, tipped with green, and normally blooms in the winter. There are many other species, most of which do wonderful in a greenhouse, but will not work for window growth.
Queen Victoria, La Crinoline, Omar Pasha, Nil Desperandum, Duchess of Lancaster, Climax, Guiding Star, Rose of Castile, Hoi des Blancs, Prince Frederic William, are all fine varieties.
Myrtle
The Myrtles are natives of Europe, New Holland, and China. These plants are a hard wooded evergreen shrub. They possess an interesting and agreeable fragrance, and make a wonderful addition to parlor culture. The soil needs to consist of three parts loam, on part sand, and one part leaf mould.
Myrtles do not need very large pots, and flourish in most any situation. They will need moderate watering and washing, plenty of light and air during the growing season. The growing season is the summer, and during this time they need to be moved outside into a shady area, but not under the drip of trees.
A profusion of pretty white flowers will occur about midsummer. M. communis is the most common parlor plant. There are many varieties, some with small and large leaves, variegated foliage, and flowers, both single and double.
A New Holland species, the M. tenuifolia, is a wonderful choice for a parlor plant. M. tomentosa, is a Chinese species, that has purple flowers that change to a white shade, so there is a variety of shade all seen at once on the same plant. This plant can be grown easily and is rather hardy, so long as it is kept out of exposure to the hot sun.
Achaenia
The A. malvaviscus is a stunning parlor plant that grows symmetrically, and produces a beautiful scarlet flower, in profusion, at the end of each branch. Little white berries follow the flowers, which change to a bright red color, creating an ornamental plant, along with the stunning profusion of blooms.
This plant grows best in a pyramid. This allows the flowers and fruit a great advantage. This plant needs plenty of sun and light, and needs to be turned frequently. It is normally safe from insect attacks. The soil needs to consist of two parts loam, two parts leaf mould, and a slight mixture of sand to create a beautiful and happy plant.
