Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Enfant Prodigue' — Bushy or arching shrub; trailing in basket cultivars

Overview

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Enfant Prodigue' 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 'Enfant Prodigue' 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 'Enfant Prodigue' is an arching shrub in the genus Fuchsia that produces a long season of flowers from June to October. Leaves are oval and toothed, mid to dark green, and may remain semi-evergreen in milder areas. It performs best in partial shade or light shade for the most intense flower colour and favours fertile, moisture-retentive loam. Sheltered, east- or west-facing situations suit it, with trailing forms available for hanging baskets.

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

A member of the genus Fuchsia (family Onagraceae), Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Enfant Prodigue' sits among garden and container shrubs valued for extended summer and autumn flowering. It shows an arching habit in shrub forms, while specifically bred basket cultivars trail, making them appropriate for suspended displays. Leaves are oval and toothed, mid to dark green; in mild winters some plants may hold many leaves through the season. Plant in fertile, moisture-retentive loam that remains moist but drains freely; the plants accept a range of soil pH from acid through neutral to alkaline. Provide partial shade to full sun, though a little light shade will help the flower colour develop more strongly. Position where the plant is sheltered from prevailing winds and choose an east- or west-facing aspect where possible to combine morning or afternoon light with protection. Hardiness varies between cultivars: more tender types sit in the half-hardy to borderline category (H2–H3), while hardier shrub selections fall into the average to hardy range (H4–H5) for UK gardens. Trailing cultivars are particularly effective in hanging baskets where stems can show continuous blooms from June to October in a sheltered, well-sited position.

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 'Enfant Prodigue' 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 'Enfant Prodigue'

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 'Enfant Prodigue'?

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 'Enfant Prodigue'?

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

What soil does Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Enfant Prodigue' need?

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Enfant Prodigue' 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 'Enfant Prodigue'?

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 'Enfant Prodigue' hardy in the UK?

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Enfant Prodigue' 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 'Enfant Prodigue'?

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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