Viewing post #704828 by MotherRaphaela

jacqueg said:
Fry Road bought Deb and Ron Monnier's stock when the Monniers retired. The Monnier's recommendations for hardy fuchsias came from their real time experience of growing fuchsias outside and seeing which ones actually survived zone 8 winters (Willamette Valley, north of Salem, OR). I don't know whether Fry Road is continuing the trialing or not.

The Monnier's also did some hybridizing, their varieties are listed under the name 'DebRon'.

When I lived in the area, I visited the Monnier;s nursery several times a season, just to watch all those fuchsias. I do miss them.

How wonderful that you knew these people! Part of the fascination of plants for me is learning the traditions behind them. So many people have worked to bring us these beautiful plants that were unknown to many of our ancestors. I'm sorry for the American tendency to grow plants without any appreciation for for this -- valuable genetics are being lost (and this is true for livestock as well) because few people care today.

And that is one of the joys for me in discovering ATP this summer -- obviously some people do still care, and it is wonderful to know they are being brought together and encouraged! MR