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

Overview

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Riccartonii' 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 'Riccartonii' 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, woodland gardens and and shaded areas where its colorful flowers can be appreciated..

About

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Riccartonii' is a shrub hybrid that carries a long season of bloom from June to October. It grows as a well-branched or arching shrub and can trail when grown in baskets. Leaves are oval, toothed and mid to dark green, and plants may be deciduous or remain evergreen in milder areas. Best flower colour develops in light shade, though it tolerates partial shade to full sun.

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 hybrid in the genus Fuchsia (family Onagraceae), Hardy Fuchsia 'Riccartonii' provides an extended flowering run from June to October and is available in forms suited to both beds and containers. The habit ranges from well-branched or arching shrubs to trailing forms for hanging baskets, while foliage is mid to dark green and may persist through mild winters. Plant in fertile, moisture-retentive loam with good drainage and keep soil consistently moist rather than bone-dry; the cultivar tolerates acid, neutral or alkaline soils. Position plants in partial shade to full sun, with light shade giving the best flower colour, and favour east- or west-facing, sheltered locations to protect shoots from exposure. Tender selections are classed H2–H3 (half-hardy to borderline) and are less tolerant of severe frost; choose H4–H5 (average to hardy) types for open garden sites. Use Hardy Fuchsia 'Riccartonii' in mixed borders, containers and woodland plantings or in shaded corners where its long season of bloom can be appreciated. Trailing cultivars suit glazed hanging baskets or containers where the flowers can hang down and be seen at eye level through summer and into autumn.

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 'Riccartonii' 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, woodland gardens, and shaded areas where its colorful flowers can be appreciated.

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Riccartonii'

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 'Riccartonii'?

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 'Riccartonii'?

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

What soil does Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Riccartonii' need?

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Riccartonii' 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 'Riccartonii'?

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 'Riccartonii' hardy in the UK?

Fuchsia Hybrids, Hardy 'Riccartonii' 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 'Riccartonii'?

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

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