Fuchsia magellanica (lady's eardrops) — Bushy or arching shrub; trailing in basket cultivars

Overview

Fuchsia magellanica 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. It typically grows around 3.6 m tall and 3 m wide. Fuchsia magellanica 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. It is native to Chile and Argentina.

About

Fuchsia magellanica is an arching, multi-stemmed shrub prized for its long run of pendant tubular flowers. It blooms in the UK from June to October, with blooms in red, purple, pink, lavender or white. Leaves are oval with toothed margins and may be deciduous or remain evergreen in milder areas. Plants can reach about 3.6 m high with a 3 m spread in frost-free conditions, and some cultivars trail for baskets.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Fuchsia magellanica

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

Native to Chile and Argentina, Fuchsia magellanica brings a South American origin to temperate UK borders where its pendant flowers attract attention from June to October. Flower colour ranges from strong red and purple to softer pinks, lavender and white, and a number of garden selections are available as upright shrubs or trailing basket types. Place Fuchsia magellanica where it receives partial shade to full sun; light shade tends to give the best flower colour. It prefers a fertile, moisture-retentive loam that remains moist but drains freely, and tolerates acid, neutral or alkaline soils. An east- or west-facing, sheltered aspect reduces wind exposure to the arching stems and helps protect flower display. Hardiness varies by form: some tender kinds sit in the half-hardy to borderline range (H2–H3), while hardier selections are H4–H5 (average to hardy). Allow space for a spread up to about 3 m, or choose trailing cultivars for hanging baskets and containers in protected spots. Berries do form but are sparse and usually not grown for fruit; the species is chiefly used as an ornamental for long summer and autumn flowering. In milder UK areas the foliage can remain evergreen, extending the season of interest beyond the main flowering months.

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 magellanica 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
Height: 3.6 m
Spread: 3 m
Native to: Chile, Argentina
Toxicity: Although 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

Pruning and caring for Fuchsia magellanica

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 magellanica?

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 magellanica?

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

What soil does Fuchsia magellanica need?

Fuchsia magellanica 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 magellanica?

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.

How big does Fuchsia magellanica grow?

Fuchsia magellanica reaches a height of 3.6 m and a spread of 3 m.

Is Fuchsia magellanica hardy in the UK?

Fuchsia magellanica 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 magellanica?

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

Is Fuchsia magellanica toxic?

Although 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.

More in the Fuchsia genus

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