Chapter 1 Chapter 1 (a) WhereFuchsias are not native to Ireland. Different types of fuchsias originated in various parts of the world. Chapter 1 (b) WhyPlant Hunters had begun to explore the world, bringing back large numbers of the previously unknown plants that brighten our gardens today, including our beloved Fuchsias. Chapter 1 (c) The Gulf StreamThe Gulf Stream brings warm water from the Gulf of Mexico across the Atlantic, until it divides just off the coast of County Kerry. It carries its benign influence along our south coast and also northwards along the west coast of Ireland, around County Donegal and the coast of Northern Ireland and on to the west coast of Scotland. Chapter 1 (d) HistoryA French Missionary, Father Charles Plumier, is credited with describing and naming the first fuchsia. He discovered this plant in the Dominican Republic towards the end of the seventeenth century. He named his discovery "Fuchsia" in a tribute to the German Botanist, Leonhart Fuchs. Chapter 2 Chapter 2 What is a fuchsia?There are over one hundred and twenty different species of fuchsias. These are fuchsias that occur naturally in different countries in different parts of the world. Some of these are listed here, with photos. 