Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Mrs W. P. Wood' (Fuchsia) — Bushy or arching shrub; trailing in basket cultivars

Overview

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Mrs W. P. Wood' 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 'Mrs W. P. Wood' 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. Suggested uses include borders, containers, shaded garden areas and ornamental shrubbery.

About

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Mrs W. P. Wood' is a Fuchsia shrub noted for an extended flowering season from June to October. It forms multi-stemmed, arching growth or trailing shoots in basket forms and carries oval, toothed leaves in mid to dark green. Position it in partial shade to full sun, with light shade bringing the best flower colour. It prefers fertile, moisture-retentive loam and a sheltered, east- or west-facing site.

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 'Mrs W. P. Wood' belongs to the Onagraceae family and is grown as a shrub with either rounded, arching stems or trailing forms for baskets. Leaflets are oval and toothed, usually mid to dark green, and the plant flowers reliably from June to October. Plant into fertile, moisture-retentive loam with good drainage and aim for a site that is sheltered and faces east or west. Light levels can range from partial shade to full sun; however light shade tends to produce the best flower colour. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging. Soil pH is not critical, as it tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline conditions. Hardiness varies between forms: some garden types are half-hardy to borderline (H2–H3), while the hardier shrub forms sit in the average to hardy range (H4–H5), so provide winter protection for the more tender kinds. Use as a mixed border shrub, in containers or as a feature in shaded garden areas where its long flowering period can be enjoyed into autumn. Light shade enhances flower colour.

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 'Mrs W. P. Wood' 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
Suggested uses: Borders, containers, shaded garden areas, ornamental shrubbery

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Mrs W. P. Wood'

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 'Mrs W. P. Wood'?

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 'Mrs W. P. Wood'?

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

What soil does Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Mrs W. P. Wood' need?

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Mrs W. P. Wood' 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 'Mrs W. P. Wood'?

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 'Mrs W. P. Wood' hardy in the UK?

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Mrs W. P. Wood' 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 'Mrs W. P. Wood'?

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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