This is one in a weekly series featuring the UC Davis Community Favorites, 75 can't-fail, easy-care plants well-adapted to our region and recommended by local gardeners.
Golden ladies' eardrops
Fuchsia magellanica var. gracilis 'Aurea'
Size: 4 to 5 feet tall
Bloom season: Summer, fall
Exposure: Partial shade
Pruning needs: Prune to shape
Water needs: Once the plant is established, water deeply once or twice a week
Snapshot: Among the hardiest of fuchsias and easiest to grow, this pretty perennial has gold-toned foliage to go with its pendantlike red and purple flowers. Hummingbirds can't resist them. This golden fuchsia makes an ideal potted plant and loves a spot on a shaded patio. Good drainage is a key to its success; it can't stand soggy soil. You can see specimens in the arboretum's teaching nursery on the UC Davis campus.
Why it's a Favorite: "I can never resist the beautiful and delicate flower of this species that I always wish could be made into a pair of earrings!" said Ellen Zagory, the arboretum's director of horticulture. "Needing shade and plenty of water, it can be grown on a porch or windowsill where you can enjoy it close up."
• Read more about the Arboretum's 75th anniversary at http://arboretum75th.ucdavis. edu. For more on the Community Favorites and Arboretum All-Stars, click on http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu.
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