[rcf100]

No, I'm not in the wrong category  

I've only just found out that this has edible berries.  From what I can determine some are yummy, some tasteless and some horrid.  Does anyone on here have any experience?

I'm creating a pretty fruot garden next year so I'm def going to include some, and I've seen a few bush varieties that are supposed to be really nice, but I was thinking about maybe getting a few hanging baskets this year to see how different varieties taste, so I'm looking for any recommendations for hanging fuchsias that have nice flavoured berries (for eating straight off plant, not jsut for jam making).

Many thanks

Edit title for clarity

[Trillium]

I couldn't find anyone specifically recommending edible berry varieties. All said the same thing: test every berry you can find to decide if it's what you like. Apparently, the uglier the flower, the sweeter the berry, but not always. Good luck.

[arugula]

Apparently, the uglier the flower, the sweeter the berry, but not always.

I haven't seen a fuschia flower that isn't pretty.

Good luck.

Indeed!

[Madame Cholet]

one of my favourite flowers

[arugula]

And considering how delicate they look, I always think surprisingly hardy.

[mumofstig]

I made jam with the berries, one year ....I won't be doing that again   

[hamstergbert]

I include fuchsia berries most years in some of my late season jams, especially the 'bitser' varieties alongside elderberries, blackberries and rosehips etc.    I prefer the berries from a tough as old boots fuchsia (that glorifies several areas front and back) of unknown variety for which the berries when ripe are cherry sized and a magnificent dark purple.  As always a minority component, they still add a taste dimension that is both slightly earthy and yet rich.   Generally freeze them a handful at a time (collecting frequently as they ripen before the feathered hooligans can grab them) and 'save them up' until I wish to use them  and the sojourn in the frozen state seems to sweeten them a little.

[rcf100]

I couldn't find anyone specifically recommending edible berry varieties.

On the otterfarm website they have 3 for sale and there is also another type mentioned on a blog linked to them.  So that's 4 varieties for picking straight off the plant, but as I said they're all bush types.

Do you think it's worthwhile getting a collection of plugs from eBay or scoring the local garden centres for reductions.  I'm really curious now and can't eait until next year to get experimenting!

[VegGirl7]

ooh - didn't realise the berries were edible!

I used to have two large bushes in the front (tiny) garden and ripped them both out to make way for edible stuff... I gave one away to a friend so may have to try them and get a cutting back if nice



to find a tasty variety I'd be tempted to wait for this year's berries and have a wander round local parks (or even a sneaky one from over a garden wall    ) for a taste of different varieties before investing... oh I'm tempted now! 

[Madame Cholet]

A Russian lady told me they love fuchsia jelly.

[New shoot]

I've tried a few berries at work of the bedding type fuchsias but they were pretty tasteless.  Maybe because they get watered so much    That might improve if you fed tomato food every week  

The hardy bush fuchsia which grows through the fence between myself and next door produces almost cherry tasting berries and is much nicer and it is hardy bush fuchsias that Otter farm offer.  They are fairly common ones so you should be able to buy them pretty easily.

I've got a Bob Flowerdew book and he recommends Californian Dreamer, Malibu Mist and Nancy Lou    Think these are all trailers but you might have to buy them mail order as they are not in the run of the mill selcetion you get at garden centres  

[JayG]

A Russian lady told me they love fuchsia jelly.

I did try that once but I couldn't see much fuchsia in it.



(Sorry, I did of course make that up!) 

[New shoot]

A Russian lady told me they love fuchsia jelly.

I did try that once but I couldn't see much fuchsia in it.



(Sorry, I did of course make that up!) 

Groan - you should blush at that one    

[Lawrence]

I have a wine recipe somewhere for the berries, I never tried it because i couldnt get enough but I did make jam once, it was very peculiar.
Not horrid, but tastless(ish)
I heard a phrase recently that describes them well "famine food" which means stuff you CAN eat but don't want to.