Passionate about fuchsias for 40 years

Don Moir is passionate about fuchsias and hopes members of the public will come along to their competition and show on Sunday. Photo/Rebecca Mauger

Don Moir has been growing fuchsias for more than 40 years and says at the height of his obsession he had 750 plants.

He started off small but says his love for the flower quickly grew.

"The reason I got into it was because I shifted from the country into town. At the time we had four young children that used to run around and around the garden and if the fuchsias got broken they just grew again."

The Tauranga Fuchsia Group president, who is originally from the Hawke's Bay, was one of the founding members of the National Fuchsia Group and also helped get the Tauranga group off the ground.

He says the group has grown from humble beginnings in 1993 when it was established at the home of the late Edward Sweetman with the support of other enthusiasts.

Don credited fellow members who had taken the helm over the years and kept "the group ticking over" as they started to compete amongst themselves and progressed onto public exhibitions.

Fast forward to today and Don says the group still has about 16 dedicated members that were keen to share their knowledge and passion with other like-minded people.

"It's irrelevant whether your available growing situation is by container in a small yard or larger section there is a plant for all environs. We'd like to encourage youngsters to join because if you can learn to grow fushias you can grow other plants."

Unfortunately due to illness Don says he won't be exhibiting but there will be some great fuchsias on show for the public to see

THE FACTS
What: Tauranga Fuchsia Group 20th Annual Competition and Show
Where: Legion of Frontiersmen Hall, Elizabeth St West
When: Sunday December 3, open to public 8.30am- 3.30pm $3 admission