Fuchsia procumbens is an unusual and attractive groundcover found rather rarely in coastal areas from North Cape to Coromandel. The small round bright green leaves spring up from the sprawling stems.
The distinctive flowers occur in summer and, unlike other species of Fuschia, face upwards. They are orange red with startling blue anthers, and are followed by large pinkish red berries. F. procumbens will scramble over rocks and low walls and wend its way through the garden as a groundcover plant, putting down roots as it goes.
Best in partial shade but can tolerate full sun and coastal conditions, and looks good in a hanging basket.
This creeping fuchsia is native to New Zealand. It was discovered in 1834 by Richard Cunningham, though it wasn't introduced into Europe until 40 years later. It has at times also been known as Fuchsia prostrata and Fuchsia kirkii.