Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy (Fuchsia) — Bushy or arching shrub; trailing in basket cultivars

Overview

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy is a bushy or arching shrub; trailing in basket cultivars shrub in the genus Fuchsia, part of the Onagraceae family, with deciduous, or evergreen in mild areas; oval, toothed, mid to dark green foliage. Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy grows best in partial shade to full sun; light shade gives the best flower colour, and tolerates fertile and moisture-retentive loam soils and acid and neutral or alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H2-H3 for tender kinds; H4-H5 for hardy shrubs.

About

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy are shrubs noted for a long flowering season, producing blooms from June to October. They form well-branched or arching shrubs, while selected cultivars are trained to trail for hanging baskets. Leaves are oval, toothed and range from deciduous to evergreen in milder areas. Plants perform best in sheltered positions facing east or west.

About the genus

Fuchsia is a genus of flowering plants that consists mostly of shrubs or small trees.

Wikipedia contributors, "Fuchsia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Fuchsia

In the garden

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy sit in the genus Fuchsia (family Onagraceae) and are grown for their extended display of flowers from June to October. Growth habit varies between well-branched or arching shrubs and trailing forms used in baskets, and the foliage is oval and toothed, remaining evergreen only where winters are mild. Position the plants in partial shade to full sun, bearing in mind that light shade usually produces the most intense flower colour. A west or east-facing, sheltered aspect reduces exposure to cold winds. Use a fertile, moisture-retentive loam and keep the soil moist but well drained; these hybrids tolerate a wide soil pH from acid through alkaline. Hardiness varies between cultivars: some are half-hardy to borderline (H2–H3), while others are average to hardy (H4–H5), so select forms suited to your site or provide winter protection where required. Fuchsias work well in mixed borders where shelter and moisture can be assured, in patio containers and in hanging baskets where trailing types can be shown to best effect. When choosing plants for an exposed border, favour H4–H5 selections and reserve H2–H3 varieties for protected beds or moveable containers.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Fuchsia

Sunlight: Partial shade to full sun; light shade gives the best flower colour
Soil type: Fertile, moisture-retentive loam
Soil pH: Acid, neutral or alkaline
Soil moisture: Moist but well drained
Aspect: West or east facing for preference
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H2-H3 for tender kinds; H4-H5 for hardy shrubs

Plant details

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Shrub
Habit: Bushy or arching shrub; trailing in basket cultivars
Foliage: Deciduous, or evergreen in mild areas; oval, toothed, mid to dark green

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy

Cultivation: Hardy fuchsias behave as herbaceous plants in cold gardens, dying back to a woody base and reshooting in late spring, so plant them a little deeper than usual to protect the crown and be patient before assuming a loss. Feed and water freely, since continuous flowering is hungry work. Tender cultivars need frost-free winter quarters or annual replacement from cuttings.
Pruning: Leave top growth over winter as crown protection, then cut hardy kinds back to a low framework in mid-spring once new buds break. Pinch young shoots to build a bushy plant, and prune tender kinds hard in spring after overwintering.
Propagation: Softwood cuttings root with unusual ease in spring and summer and are the standard method for every cultivar. Species can be grown from seed.
Pest resistance: Vine weevil in containers, capsid bug distorting shoot tips, and fuchsia gall mite, which causes severely deformed growth and has no chemical cure.
Disease resistance: Fuchsia rust produces orange pustules on leaf undersides in humid conditions, and grey mould affects plants overwintered under glass.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy?

Hardy fuchsias behave as herbaceous plants in cold gardens, dying back to a woody base and reshooting in late spring, so plant them a little deeper than usual to protect the crown and be patient before assuming a loss. Feed and water freely, since continuous flowering is hungry work. Tender cultivars need frost-free winter quarters or annual replacement from cuttings.

Where is the best place to plant Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy?

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy prefers partial shade to full sun; light shade gives the best flower colour. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy need?

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy grows best in fertile and moisture-retentive loam soil. It prefers acid and neutral or alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well drained.

How do I prune Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy?

Leave top growth over winter as crown protection, then cut hardy kinds back to a low framework in mid-spring once new buds break. Pinch young shoots to build a bushy plant, and prune tender kinds hard in spring after overwintering.

Is Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy hardy in the UK?

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy has an RHS hardiness rating of H2, meaning it is tender, tolerating 1–5°C, and needs frost-free protection over winter.

How do I propagate Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy?

Softwood cuttings root with unusual ease in spring and summer and are the standard method for every cultivar. Species can be grown from seed.

More in the Fuchsia genus

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