Fuchsia Growing Guide
As iconic as they are popular, Fuchsia’s are famous the world over for bringing dazzling displays of pastel pink, violet and white to spring and summer gardens. Famous for their distinctive pendulous bell shaped flowers, Fuchsias normally grow as a shrub or small tree, and are famous for adorning beds, borders, hanging baskets and even hedges with teardrops and petal whorls of colour. Although Fuchsia flowers appear to be a very delicate beauty, the plant can be grown to be surprisingly hardy and perennial, able to survive the winter with proper care. Although named after the famous German botanist Leonhart Fuchs, this beautiful species was actually first discovered by a French monk, Charles Plumier, on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola (today’s Haiti and Dominican Republic). First introduced into English gardens in the 18th century, the plant soon exploded in popularity. Today, you’ll find Fuchsias in gardens everywhere, from their homelands in the New World to as far east as Japan. This arresting species is so popular, there is even a British Fuchsia Society dedicated to the cultivation of the plant up and down the country. Fuchsias come in hardy and bedding varieties, with some important differences when it comes to planting and over-wintering. Much of the care, however, is the same for the two.
How to Grow
Planting
Fuchsias fare well in both full sun and partial shade; the only important consideration when selecting a location is some shelter from strong winds, as this can damage the plant early on. It is best to plant in early spring. Hardy Fuchsias, however, can be planted all year round. All fuchsias require a fertile, moist and well-drained soil to flower profusely, so planting later in summer may be giving yourself unnecessary watering duties if the weather is dry. The planting method differs slightly between the two.
Bedding Fuchsias
Plant into a hole with room to spare. The root balls are best planted at a depth so as to have to the tops of the roots just level with the soil surface. Fill in the planting hole with a mix of excavated soil and organic matter and water in well. Apply a granular feed and about 5cm of deep mulch around the base of the plant. If you’re growing in a container, be sure to use a loam based compost.
Hardy Fuchsias
For hardy Fuchsias, it’s best to plant a little deeper, allowing 2.5-5cm of the stems to lie below the surface. Again, fill in the planting hole with a mix of excavated soil and organic matter and water in.
Ongoing Care
When it comes to watering, fuchsias are relatively low maintenance – once they’re established! At first, be sure to water regularly throughout the spring and summer to aid establishment. Naturally, avoid waterlogging the soil (a particular danger with container-grown fuchsias) and be sure to keep the soil evenly moist. Once established, fuchsias only require the occasional soak in dry weather.
Regular application of a high-potash liquid feed will encourage profuse blooms right up until the first frosts. Mulch yearly with well-rotted manure or compost and apply a liquid feed. Dead-heading will not be a regular or arduous task, as spent flowers will usually fall of their own accord. However, keep an eye out for faded flowers and remove when detected – this will encourage better blooms.
Bedding fuchsias will require overwintering (see below), although keep in mind that even hardy fuchsias require some additional care if a winter is particularly severe. Try to protect the containers of container-grown Fuchsias from direct contact with frost.
Overwintering Bedding Fuchsias
Bedding Fuchsias should be lifted from the ground, all excess, diseased and dead growth removed (cutting even to half size if necessary) and placed into pots. A frost-free yet well-lit area should then be used to overwinter your fuchsias, a greenhouse or shed will be appropriate for this purpose. Hardy fuchsias can be kept in the garden, however, be sure to protect the roots with a thick layer of mulch. Always protect the containers of container-grown Fuchsias from direct contact with frost.
Pruning
For all varieties of fuchsias, the time to prune is mid to late spring, just as the first growth is seen. Cut the stems down to just above ground level at this time. For younger fuchsias, you can pinch out the tips of shoots to encourage more profuse flowering. However, be careful not to overdo this as it will delay your bloom.
Fuchsias in Your Garden
There are literally hundreds of varieties of fuchsias which can be grown in many different ways, making them a versatile addition to almost any garden type. The flowers can range from small single petaled varieties to remarkably large flowers with many petals. Generally, however, there are a few very familiar fuchsia habits, which all create a different effect in your garden.
Trailing fuchsias are ideal for hanging baskets as their long stems will spill over the side and droop downwards, ending in a beautiful pendulous flower. These billow attractively in the wind and are ideal to decorate and entrance, arch or threshold in your garden.
Bush fuchsias will grow upright into bushy plants, shrubs and even hedges. They are ideal for garden borders and flower beds and can complement other shrubbery in a hedge row. Some even grow into small trees. These varieties, like the trailing fuchsias, are half hardy and will require overwintering.
The physically substantial hardy fuchsias are perfect for borders and hedges.
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Useful Links
- Geranium Growing Guide (Article)
- Dianthus Growing Guide (Article)
- Dahlia Growing Guide (Article)
- Lavender Growing Guide (Article)
- Shop online for bedding and patio plants
- Shop online for plants
