L.O.V.E.

I have thought about writing about Fuchsia before - it is soooo pretty and delicate. It reminds me of fairies and butterflies and the ethereal. I spied some at the Garden Show looking glorious:

Fuchsia are native to South America with fewer species indigenous to Central America and Mexico. They are also prolific in New Zealand to Tahiti (Tahiti - warm, sunny, home of Fuchsia!).

Technically, you can TRY to grow them in the Kansas City area. The transition zone is going to be difficult to reckon with, however. Plant them in containers on your patio and then be prepared to work. Fuchsias should be fertilized every two weeks and need adequate water (but not too much - be careful of root rot!). They are going to struggle when temperatures are above 80 degrees. And you need to take them inside for the winter.

There is no way at this point in my gardening life that I can keep up with this rigorous schedule. Maybe you all are a little more advanced? After all, someone out there wrote an article calling the care of this persnickety plant "Easy."

Any ideas for a similarly ethereal, fairy-plant that doesn't take quite so much maintenance? I am all ears.