About
Fuchsia magellanica, lady's eardrops, is an upright shrub to about 3 m tall, making an attractive hedge in milder areas where it can remain semi-evergreen. Slender, scarlet-sepalmed flowers with a purple corolla are produced freely from summer through autumn. One of the hardiest and most versatile of the species fuchsias.
About the genus
Fuchsia are deciduous or evergreen shrubs, trees and occasionally perennials with opposite or whorled leaves and usually pendent flowers with a conspicuous tubular calyx, four spreading sepals and four erect petals in a wide range of colours. They flower prolifically from summer to autumn and range from frost-hardy border plants to tender species for heated glasshouses.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous, Semi evergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Coastal, Wildlife gardens
Native toChile, Argentina
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
CultivationCan be grown outdoors in moist, fertile soil. Plant the base of the stem 5cm below the soil surface and provide a deep winter mulch and shelter from cold drying winds. May remain semi-evergreen in milder areas where it can be grown as a hedge. See hardy fuchsia cultivation for further information
PruningPruning group 6
PropagationPropagate by softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, fuchsia gall mite, capsid bug and vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fuchsia rust, grey moulds and honey fungus (rarely)