Back to the Fuchsia is bred from native wildflowers

The script was rejected over 40 times. There was a concern that moviegoers wouldn't want to see a movie featuring a gull-wing DeLorean car, or go see a film with the word future in the name. One executive suggested that they call the movie “Space Man From Pluto.” The writers showed the memo to Steven Spielberg, who said ‘Don’t worry, I know how to handle him,’ and Spielberg wrote the executive, ‘Hi Sid, thanks for your most humorous memo; we all got a big laugh out of it, keep ‘em coming.’ The executive was too embarrassed to admit he was serious, and the movie kept its name, 'Back to the Future.'

And today there are many plays on that title, with one of the most groan-worthy the name of a perennial salvia Back to the Fuchsia.

This is a fuchsia pink flower atop dark, almost-black stems. The flowers are produced abundantly above the deep, dark-green leaves.

This plant will re-bloom if you cut it back after it flowers, and will flower from late spring well into fall.

Back to the Fuchsia is bred from native wildflowers that go by the name Perennial Salvia or Perennial Sage.

This is a tough plant, able to grow in USDA Zones 3-8. The fragrant blossoms and foliage make an outstanding display in the garden or as cut flowers in the vase.

For best results, plant Back to the Fuchsia in full sun. Like all sage, this plant will not grow well in damp or soggy conditions. Set your plants about two feet apart to allow the plants to reach their mature height of 22 to 24 inches tall with a spread of 24 inches.

Back to the Fuchsia is great when planted in borders, or edging sidewalks and driveways.

They even grow well in large containers.

It does best in soil with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5, but will grow in almost any soil as long as it drains well. You can work in compost once a year but even this is not necessary. This fragrant perennial is salt tolerant, so perfect for oceanfront or beach gardens. To encourage re-blooming, pick off the dead flowers.

After a few years you may want to dig up and divide the plant. Do this in early spring before growth starts.

Best of all, deer and rabbits avoid this and all salvia, and the plants seem almost immune to disease and insect attacks. The abundant flowers will turn your garden into a pollinator magnet for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Back to the Fuchsia is widely available at many nurseries or by mail from specialists such as K. Van Bourgondien (www.dutchbulbs.com or phone 800-552-9996).

Plant Back to Fuchsia and you will have abundant flowers this summer and well into the future. And you won’t need a DeLorean to get there.