Mastering Fuchsia Pruning: Grow Gorgeous Blooms
Hey there, fellow garden enthusiasts! If you've ever gazed at a fuchsia plant, you know its vibrant, bell-shaped beautiful purple flowers are absolutely captivating. These incredible plants, ranging from upright bushes to sprawling hanging baskets, can truly transform any space with their elegance. Many people treat fuchsias as annuals, enjoying their summer display and then letting them go. But what if I told you that with a little know-how, you could keep your fuchsias thriving year after year, producing an even more spectacular show of beautiful purple flowers? That's where the art of pruning fuchsia plants comes in, and trust me, it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. This complete guide will walk you through everything you need to know about cutting back fuchsias to ensure they remain healthy, vigorous, and bursting with blooms. We're going to dive deep into pruning fuchsias, covering when, how, and why, so you can enjoy these stunning plants for seasons to come. Get ready to transform your fuchsias into the envy of the neighborhood!
Why Prune Fuchsia Plants? Understanding the Benefits
So, why should you even bother with pruning fuchsia plants? It’s a fair question, and the answer is simple: for healthier, happier, and much more floriferous plants! Many gardeners, especially beginners, might shy away from the idea of cutting back fuchsias because it feels counterintuitive to cut away parts of a plant that seems perfectly fine. However, regular and strategic pruning fuchsias is absolutely crucial for their long-term health and impressive bloom production. Think of it like a regular haircut for us humans – it keeps things tidy, encourages new growth, and generally makes you look and feel better. For fuchsias, the benefits are even more dramatic.
First off, pruning fuchsia plants significantly encourages bushier growth. Left to their own devices, many fuchsias can become leggy and straggly, with long, weak stems and sparse beautiful purple flowers at the tips. By cutting back fuchsias, you stimulate the plant to produce new shoots from the nodes lower down on the stems. More shoots mean more branches, and guess what? More branches equal more places for those stunning beautiful purple flowers to form! This results in a much fuller, more compact plant that’s loaded with blooms from top to bottom, making for a truly spectacular display in your garden or on your patio. It’s like magic, but it’s just good horticulture, guys.
Another critical reason for pruning fuchsia plants is to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged wood. These unhealthy parts of the plant are not only unattractive but can also be a breeding ground for pests and diseases, which can quickly spread to the healthy parts of your fuchsia. By diligently cutting back fuchsias and removing this compromised material, you improve air circulation within the plant’s canopy. Good air circulation is vital for preventing fungal issues like powdery mildew, ensuring your fuchsia stays robust and vibrant. Plus, getting rid of dead wood redirects the plant's energy towards producing strong, healthy new growth and more of those coveted beautiful purple flowers, rather than wasting resources on declining parts.
Furthermore, pruning fuchsia plants helps to rejuvenate older plants and extend their lifespan. If you have an older fuchsia that looks tired, woody, and isn't blooming as prolifically as it once did, a good hard prune can give it a new lease on life. This process stimulates vigorous new growth from the base or main stems, essentially resetting the plant and allowing it to bounce back with renewed vigor. It’s an incredibly satisfying feeling to see an old, struggling fuchsia transform into a lush, blooming beauty after a good trim. Finally, regular pruning fuchsias allows you to maintain the desired shape and size of your plant, whether you're aiming for a compact bush, a graceful standard, or a magnificent hanging basket. So, don't be shy; grab those pruners and get ready to unlock the full potential of your fuchsia plants!
When to Prune Fuchsia Plants: Timing is Everything
Understanding when to prune fuchsia plants is just as important as knowing how to do it. The timing of your pruning fuchsias significantly impacts their health, growth, and flowering potential. Just like us, plants have cycles, and respecting these cycles ensures you’re working with nature, not against it. Different types of pruning fuchsias are performed at various times throughout the year, each with its specific goal, whether it’s a major overhaul or just a light tidy-up. Getting the timing right ensures you're encouraging those amazing beautiful purple flowers when you want them, and protecting your plant when it needs it most. Let's break down the key periods for cutting back fuchsias.
Early Spring Pruning: The Main Event
For most fuchsias, early spring pruning is undoubtedly the main event. This is where you'll perform your most significant pruning fuchsia plants task of the year. The ideal time for this heavy pruning is after the danger of the last hard frost has completely passed in your region, typically from late February to April, depending on your climate. Why this timing? Well, giving your fuchsia a major trim too early can encourage tender new growth that would be vulnerable to any late frosts, potentially damaging your plant. Waiting until the worst of winter is over ensures that any new growth stimulated by your pruning will have a safe start.
During this early spring pruning session, your goal is to cut back fuchsias quite significantly. This isn't just a minor snip; we're talking about shaping the plant, removing the majority of last year's growth, and revitalizing the entire structure. You'll want to reduce the size of the plant by about one-half to two-thirds, depending on how woody and leggy it has become. This heavy pruning fuchsia plants stimulates the plant to push out a flush of strong, healthy new shoots from the remaining nodes. These new shoots are what will produce the vast majority of your beautiful purple flowers throughout the growing season. By being decisive with your cuts now, you're setting your fuchsia up for an abundant, dazzling display later in the year. It’s like hitting the reset button, allowing your plant to channel all its energy into vibrant new growth and a spectacular bloom production, rather than sustaining old, less productive stems. Don't be afraid to be bold with your pruners here, guys; your fuchsia will thank you for it with an explosion of blooms!
Summer Deadheading & Light Pruning: Keeping Blooms Coming
Once your fuchsias are actively growing and flowering, your summer pruning efforts shift to maintenance. The primary task here is deadheading, which means removing spent beautiful purple flowers. This is super important because once a flower fades, the plant starts putting energy into producing seeds. By removing these spent blooms, you trick the plant into thinking it hasn't successfully reproduced yet, prompting it to produce even more flowers in an attempt to set seeds. This continuous cycle means a longer, more prolific flowering season. It's an easy and incredibly effective way to keep those beautiful purple flowers coming non-stop throughout summer.
In addition to deadheading, you can also perform light pruning during the summer. This involves snipping off any leggy or straggly stems that develop, or lightly shaping the plant to maintain its desired form. If a stem looks a bit out of place or has finished blooming and is just sitting there, feel free to give it a snip back to a healthy leaf node or branch junction. Just remember, don't go too crazy here, guys. Heavy pruning fuchsia plants during the peak growing season can reduce the number of beautiful purple flowers you'll get, as flowers typically form on new growth. The goal in summer is to keep things tidy, encourage continuous blooming, and maintain an attractive shape without sacrificing too many potential flowers. A little pinch here and there can make a big difference in the overall appearance and productivity of your fuchsia.
Late Fall Pruning: Preparing for Winter
Late fall pruning is primarily for those of us who intend to overwinter our fuchsia plants, especially the tender varieties that can't handle freezing temperatures outdoors. If you're planning to bring your fuchsias indoors or into a protected space for the winter, a moderate prune in late fall, usually before the first hard frost, is highly recommended. The main purpose here is practicality – to make your fuchsia more manageable and easier to store. Large, sprawling fuchsias take up a lot of space, and cutting back fuchsias by about one-third to one-half their size makes them much more compact and easier to move.
When performing late fall pruning, focus on reducing the overall size and removing any weak, spindly, or damaged growth. However, it’s crucial to not prune too hard at this stage. Heavy pruning fuchsia plants in late fall can stimulate a flush of new, tender growth that won't have time to harden off before going dormant or facing colder indoor conditions. This soft new growth is much more susceptible to rot and disease during the winter months, which can weaken or even kill your plant. The aim is to create a more compact form for storage, not to trigger a growth spurt. Think of it as preparing your fuchsia for a long winter’s nap. Once trimmed, your fuchsias are ready to be moved to a cool, dark, frost-free location where they can rest until spring. This strategic pruning fuchsia plants ensures they survive the winter comfortably and are ready to burst back to life with a fresh start when spring arrives, producing those glorious beautiful purple flowers once more.
Essential Tools for Fuchsia Pruning
Before you dive into pruning fuchsia plants, having the right tools on hand is crucial. Using the correct equipment not only makes the job easier but also ensures clean cuts that promote healthier healing for your plants. Just like any craft, having good tools makes all the difference in achieving excellent results and keeping your fuchsias in top shape, ready to produce those stunning beautiful purple flowers. So, let's talk about what you'll need to get started with cutting back fuchsias.
The most important tool in your fuchsia pruning arsenal will be a pair of sharp bypass pruners. Bypass pruners, which operate like scissors with two blades that bypass each other, create clean, precise cuts. This is vital because clean cuts heal quickly and reduce the risk of introducing diseases into the plant. Avoid using anvil pruners for live stems, as they crush the stem rather than cutting it cleanly, which can damage the plant tissue and leave it vulnerable. Always make sure your bypass pruners are razor-sharp. Dull pruners will tear and fray stems, causing stress to the plant and making it more susceptible to infections. Regularly sharpen your pruners or replace the blades if they become too dull. Trust me, investing in a good quality pair of pruners will make your pruning fuchsia plants experience much more enjoyable and effective.
Next up, hygiene is key! After using your pruners, especially if you've been working on multiple plants or if you notice any signs of disease, it's essential to sterilize your tools. This simple step prevents the spread of pathogens from one plant to another. You can easily sterilize your pruners by wiping the blades with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) between cuts or between plants. This quick wipe-down only takes a moment but can save your entire fuchsia collection from potential disease outbreaks. Think of it as good gardening hygiene, guys – it's a small effort for a huge payoff in plant health.
While not strictly essential, gardening gloves can be a great addition, especially if you're dealing with thorny varieties or if you just want to protect your hands from sap and general wear and tear. Choose a pair that offers good dexterity so you can still feel what you’re doing but provides adequate protection. Finally, for thicker, more woody stems that your bypass pruners might struggle with (though most fuchsias don't typically get that woody unless they are very old or hardy varieties), a pair of loppers might come in handy. Loppers have longer handles, providing more leverage for tougher cuts. However, for the average pruning fuchsia plants task, your bypass pruners will be your go-to. Having these essential tools ready and keeping them clean and sharp will set you up for success in cutting back fuchsias and nurturing your plants to produce an abundance of those spectacular beautiful purple flowers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Pruning Fuchsia Plants
Alright, guys, this is where the rubber meets the road! You’ve learned why and when to prune fuchsia plants, and you’ve got your sharp, clean tools ready. Now, let’s get into the practical, step-by-step process of cutting back fuchsias for various types and situations. While the general principle is always to cut to an outward-facing bud or leaf node – which means making your cut just above where a leaf or new shoot emerges, pointing away from the center of the plant – specific techniques vary slightly depending on whether you have a bush, a trailing plant, a standard, or a hardy fuchsia. This careful approach ensures your fuchsia plants grow into strong, well-shaped specimens, maximizing their potential for beautiful purple flowers. Let’s get those hands dirty!
Pruning Bush & Upright Fuchsias
For bush and upright fuchsias, your goal is to create a full, rounded plant with plenty of branching for maximum beautiful purple flowers. Start by identifying the main stems. In early spring, you’ll want to prune these main stems back by about one-half to two-thirds of their length. Look for strong, healthy buds or leaf nodes that are facing outwards, and make your cut just above them. This encourages new growth to sprout outwards, leading to a bushier plant rather than a dense, inward-growing one that lacks air circulation. Next, carefully inspect the plant for any weak, spindly, or crossing branches. These branches often don't produce many beautiful purple flowers and can clutter the plant, so remove them entirely by cutting them back to the main stem or a strong side shoot. Also, trim off any branches that are growing inwards towards the center of the plant, as these can impede airflow and create a tangled mess. The aim is to create an open structure that allows light and air to penetrate, stimulating growth and bloom production throughout the plant. Regularly step back and observe your plant as you prune to ensure you're maintaining a balanced and aesthetically pleasing shape.
Pruning Trailing & Hanging Basket Fuchsias
Trailing and hanging basket fuchsias are all about that glorious cascading effect, overflowing with beautiful purple flowers. When pruning fuchsia plants of this type, the objective is to encourage long, graceful stems that spill over the edges of your container. In early spring, after the danger of frost, you’ll want to be fairly aggressive with your cuts. Prune stems back to just a few inches from the main crown or base of the plant. This might seem drastic, but it forces the plant to send out vigorous new growth that will quickly lengthen and start producing blooms. Remove any spindly or weak growth that won't contribute much to the cascading display. Throughout the summer, continue to deadhead spent flowers to keep the blooms coming. If you notice any stems getting a bit too long and leggy, you can give them a light trim back to a leaf node to encourage branching further up the stem. This keeps the basket looking full and vibrant, ensuring a continuous show of those stunning beautiful purple flowers all season long. Remember, consistent light pruning and deadheading will be your best friends for magnificent hanging baskets.
Pruning Standard Fuchsias
Standard fuchsias, often called fuchsia 'trees', are truly elegant and require a slightly different pruning fuchsia plants approach to maintain their distinctive shape. The key here is to preserve the clear, upright stem (the 'trunk') and rigorously prune the head (the bushy, flowering top) to keep it well-formed and full of beautiful purple flowers. In early spring, cut back the growth in the head by about two-thirds, much like you would a bush fuchsia. Focus on shaping it into a compact, rounded form. Remove any weak or crossing branches within the head. Critically important for standard fuchsias is the removal of suckers. These are shoots that sprout directly from the main trunk below the head, or even from the soil at the base. Suckers will divert energy away from the flowering head and should be removed completely as soon as you spot them, by cutting them flush with the trunk or ground. Throughout the growing season, continue to deadhead the beautiful purple flowers in the head and give light trims to maintain the desired spherical shape, ensuring it doesn't get too top-heavy. Consistent attention to pruning standards will keep them looking stately and blooming profusely.
Pruning Hardy Fuchsias
Hardy fuchsias are a bit of a different breed; they're tougher and can often withstand colder temperatures, sometimes even surviving winters outdoors by dying back to the ground and regrowing in spring. This resilience means you can be quite bold when pruning fuchsia plants of the hardy variety. In early spring, after the last frost, you can often cut hardy fuchsias almost to the ground. Don't be scared, guys! They will happily regrow from their woody base or rootstock. This aggressive cutting back fuchsias removes all the old, woody, and often unattractive stems from the previous year, making way for vigorous new growth that will quickly shoot up and produce an abundance of beautiful purple flowers. If you prefer a more established, woody structure, you can simply remove any dead or weak stems and shorten the remaining healthy ones by about one-third. However, for maximum vigor and bloom production, especially if they've died back significantly over winter, cutting them hard is often the best approach. Throughout summer, simply deadhead to encourage more blooms and give them light trims if they start to get too unruly.
Pruning Overwintered Fuchsias
For those of you who successfully overwintered your fuchsias indoors or in a protected space, the spring brings a new pruning fuchsia plants task. Once you bring them out of dormancy, usually around early spring, and gradually reintroduce them to light and warmer temperatures, it's time for a good spring tidy-up. Remove any dead, shriveled, or soft growth that may have occurred over the winter dormancy period. These bits won't recover and will only drain energy from the plant. After cleaning up the dead material, give the remaining healthy stems a good prune back by about one-half to two-thirds, similar to how you would prune a regular bush fuchsia in early spring. This stimulates vigorous new growth, which is essential for producing those stunning beautiful purple flowers. Ensure you're cutting to healthy, outward-facing buds. This post-dormancy pruning fuchsia plants is crucial for rejuvenating the plant, encouraging a strong, bushy habit, and preparing it for another season of magnificent blooms. Give them a good drink and start fertilizing lightly, and watch them burst back into life!
Post-Pruning Care: Nurturing Your Fuchsias
So, you’ve done the hard work of pruning fuchsia plants, and your beauties are looking trim and ready for action. But the job isn't quite finished! What you do immediately after cutting back fuchsias is just as important as the pruning itself. Proper post-pruning care is essential to help your fuchsias recover quickly, put out strong new growth, and ultimately deliver a spectacular display of beautiful purple flowers. Think of it as giving your plants a well-deserved spa treatment after their big haircut. Let's make sure your fuchsias bounce back better than ever!
First and foremost, watering is key. After a significant prune, your fuchsia will be working hard to push out new growth. This process requires adequate moisture, so ensure your plants are kept consistently hydrated. While you don't want them sitting in soggy soil, don't let them dry out completely, especially in the initial weeks post-pruning. Check the soil regularly; if the top inch or two feels dry, it's time to water. For container-grown fuchsias, this might mean daily watering during warm, sunny weather. Proper hydration supports nutrient uptake and the vigorous development of new stems and leaves, which are the precursors to those amazing beautiful purple flowers.
Next up, fertilizing! Once you see signs of new growth emerging after pruning fuchsia plants, it's the perfect time to give them a boost with a balanced fertilizer. A general-purpose, slow-release granular fertilizer or a liquid feed specifically formulated for flowering plants (often with a slightly higher phosphorus content) will provide the necessary nutrients for robust development. Look for something like a 20-20-20 or 10-30-10 ratio. Follow the product instructions carefully, as over-fertilizing can be detrimental. This nutritional support encourages the rapid development of new shoots and, crucially, prepares the plant for an abundant season of beautiful purple flowers. Regular feeding every few weeks throughout the growing season will maintain their vigor and ensure a continuous bloom.
After cutting back fuchsias, it's also a good time for a quick pest and disease check. Pruning can open up the plant's canopy, making it easier to spot any lurking issues. Healthy plants are generally more resilient, but new, tender growth can sometimes attract pests. Keep an eye out for common fuchsia pests like aphids, whiteflies, or spider mites. Address any infestations promptly with appropriate organic or chemical treatments to prevent them from getting out of hand. Also, good air circulation, which you’ve improved through pruning, is your best defense against many fungal diseases. Finally, ensure your fuchsias are receiving appropriate light. Most fuchsias prefer bright, indirect light or morning sun with afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates. Too much direct, intense sun can scorch their leaves, while too little light can lead to leggy growth and fewer beautiful purple flowers. Providing optimal post-pruning care will set your fuchsias up for a season of lush foliage and an incredible explosion of blooms, making all your pruning fuchsia plants efforts truly worth it.
Common Fuchsia Pruning Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the best intentions and the sharpest tools, it's easy to fall into some common traps when pruning fuchsia plants. Learning from these mistakes can save you a lot of headache, and more importantly, ensure your fuchsias stay healthy and productive, showering you with beautiful purple flowers. We want your cutting back fuchsias experience to be a success story, not a cautionary tale! So, let's go over some blunders to steer clear of.
One of the biggest no-nos when pruning fuchsia plants is pruning too late in fall. As we discussed earlier, heavy pruning late in the season, especially just before winter dormancy, can stimulate new, tender growth. This fresh growth is incredibly vulnerable to frost damage and can severely weaken your plant, making it less likely to survive the winter or recover vigorously in spring. If you're overwintering, a light trim for size is fine, but avoid any aggressive shaping or cutting back that might encourage a growth spurt. Hold off on the serious stuff until early spring when the danger of frost has truly passed. This timing ensures that any new growth has the best chance to mature and harden off properly.
Another common mistake is not pruning enough. While being overly aggressive can be an issue, being too timid when cutting back fuchsias can also lead to problems. If you don't prune sufficiently, your fuchsia will likely become leggy, spindly, and woody, with fewer and smaller beautiful purple flowers. Old, unpruned stems become less productive over time. Remember, the goal of pruning is to stimulate new, vigorous growth that produces the most blooms. Don't be scared to cut back fuchsias hard enough in early spring; they are surprisingly resilient and will reward your bravery with a much fuller and more floriferous display. Many gardeners are hesitant to make significant cuts, fearing they might harm the plant, but with fuchsias, a good chop often does wonders!
Using dull tools is another big mistake. We talked about this in the tools section, but it bears repeating. Dull pruners don't make clean cuts; they tear and crush stems, leaving jagged wounds that are slow to heal. These open wounds are prime entry points for diseases and pests, potentially compromising the health of your entire fuchsia. Always make sure your bypass pruners are sharp enough to make a clean, crisp cut. Regular sharpening or replacing blades is a small effort that pays off immensely in plant health. Similarly, not cleaning tools between plants or if you suspect disease is a serious oversight. You could inadvertently spread fungal spores or bacterial infections from one plant to another, leading to widespread problems. A quick wipe with rubbing alcohol is all it takes to prevent this.
Finally, one more mistake is being scared to experiment. While there are general guidelines for pruning fuchsia plants, every plant is unique, and conditions vary. Don't be afraid to observe how your fuchsia responds to your pruning and adjust your approach next season. The best way to become a master fuchsia pruning expert is through practice and observation. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you'll be well on your way to growing truly magnificent fuchsias, boasting an abundance of those captivating beautiful purple flowers year after year.
Propagating Fuchsias from Cuttings (Bonus!)
Since you’re already getting your hands dirty with pruning fuchsia plants, why not turn those trimmings into even more gorgeous beautiful purple flowers? Propagating fuchsias from cuttings is an incredibly rewarding bonus activity that allows you to expand your collection, share with friends, or simply ensure you always have a backup plant. It’s a fantastic way to make the most out of your cutting back fuchsias efforts, turning what would otherwise be discarded material into thriving new plants. This method is surprisingly easy and offers a high success rate, even for beginner propagators. Let's make some baby fuchsias!
To get started, select healthy, non-flowering stem tips from your fuchsia plants that are about 3-5 inches long. Look for stems that are firm but not woody, and avoid anything that's too soft, diseased, or already blooming. The best time to take these cuttings is in late spring or early summer, when the plants are actively growing and the weather is warm. Using your clean, sharp pruners, make a clean cut just below a leaf node (the point where leaves emerge from the stem). Remove the lower leaves from the bottom 1-2 inches of the cutting, as these will be submerged in the rooting medium and can rot if left on. You can also remove any flower buds or open beautiful purple flowers to ensure the plant focuses its energy on root development rather than blooming. This step is crucial, as the energy needs to go into creating roots, not maintaining flowers. You can also dip the cut end in a rooting hormone, though many fuchsias root easily without it. Rooting hormone simply speeds up the process and can improve success rates, but it's not strictly necessary for these eager plants.
Once you have your prepared cuttings, it's time to put them into a rooting medium. A good rooting medium should be light, well-draining, and sterile. A mix of equal parts peat moss and perlite or vermiculite works wonderfully. You can also use specialized seed-starting mix or even just plain perlite. Moisten the rooting medium thoroughly before inserting your cuttings. Using a pencil or a stick, create small holes in the medium, then gently insert the bottom 1-2 inches of each fuchsia cutting into a hole, making sure not to damage the soft tissue. Gently firm the medium around each cutting to ensure good contact. Space them out enough so they don't touch, allowing for good air circulation.
To create the ideal environment for rooting, you’ll need to provide warmth and humidity. Place a clear plastic bag or a propagation dome over the tray or pots to create a mini-greenhouse effect. This traps humidity around the cuttings, which is vital for preventing them from drying out before they can grow roots. Place your propagation setup in a warm spot, ideally around 65-75°F (18-24°C), with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, as this can overheat the cuttings and cause them to wilt. Check the cuttings regularly; mist them if the medium looks dry, but avoid overwatering, as this can lead to rot. In about 2-4 weeks, you should start to see roots forming, and new leaf growth will be a clear sign of success! Once rooted, you can gently pot them up into individual containers with regular potting mix, and soon you'll have a whole new generation of beautiful purple flowers ready to grace your garden. This is truly one of the most satisfying parts of fuchsia pruning – turning one plant into many!
Final Thoughts on Fuchsia Pruning
Well, there you have it, folks! We've covered a whole lot about pruning fuchsia plants, from the absolute essentials to some bonus propagation tips. Hopefully, you're now feeling much more confident about cutting back fuchsias and understanding why this practice is so vital for their health and prolific flowering. Remember, the journey to growing stunning fuchsia plants bursting with beautiful purple flowers isn't just about planting them; it's about actively caring for them throughout the seasons. Regular, thoughtful pruning isn't a chore; it's an investment in your plant's future, ensuring they stay vigorous, disease-free, and as beautiful as they can possibly be.
Don't be afraid to be decisive with your pruners, especially during that critical early spring prune. Your fuchsias are tougher than you think, and they respond incredibly well to a good trim. By understanding when to make those major cuts, when to deadhead for continuous blooms, and when to prepare them for winter, you're empowering your plants to thrive. And hey, if you end up with a few cuttings, why not give propagation a shot? It's a fantastic way to spread the fuchsia love and expand your own collection of those enchanting beautiful purple flowers.
So, grab your sharp pruners, put on your gardening gloves, and step out into your garden with confidence. Your fuchsias are waiting for your expert touch. With a little practice and the insights from this guide, you’ll be a master of fuchsia pruning in no time, enjoying an unparalleled display of their vibrant, dangling blooms. Happy gardening, and may your fuchsias always be gloriously full of life and color!