About
A tender, rare evergreen shrub to around 4m in height with large, lush green elliptic leaves. Pendent panicles of slender-tubed waxy white flowers, with light red marks at the base of the petals, appear in late summer to autumn, followed by edible red fruits, with a flavour similar to kiwi fruit but not as sweet. Ideal for a conservatory or greenhouse for a tropical feel.
About the genus
Fuchsia can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or trees, rarely perennials, with opposite or whorled leaves and usually pendent flowers with conspicuous tubular calyx, 4 spreading sepals and 4 erect petals
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Shrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
ToxicityAlthough Fuchsia berries are edible, most are not particularly tasty and are sparsely produced on plants. Fuchsia plants are generally grown as an ornamental and not for fruit crops within the UK
Care notes
CultivationIdeal for growing under glass, or in containers that can be brought indoors to overwinter. Grow in peat-free multipurpose potting compost, in bright filtered light with good ventilation. From spring to summer apply a general liquid fertiliser monthly. Keep just moist over winter. See tender fuchsia cultivation for more detailed advice
PruningPruning group 6
PropagationPropagate by softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, fuchsia gall mite, fuchsia flea beetle, glasshouse red spider mite and vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fuchsia rust, grey moulds and honey fungus (rarely)