Fuchsia magellanica 'Alba' (White Hardy Fuchsia) — Bushy or arching shrub; trailing in basket cultivars

Overview

Fuchsia magellanica 'Alba' 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 'Alba' 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 and woodland gardens. It is native to Southern South America.

About

Fuchsia magellanica 'Alba' is a shrub producing pendant white flowers from June to October. It develops arching, multi-stemmed growth to about 3.6 m high with a 3 m spread. Leaves are oval, toothed and mid to dark green and may be deciduous or remain evergreen in milder areas. It prefers partial shade to full sun on fertile, moisture-retentive loam in an east- or west-facing, sheltered spot.

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

A native of southern South America, Fuchsia magellanica 'Alba' carries the species’ long flowering habit into a white-flowered form that blooms from June to October. Plants produce arching stems and a rounded outline, reaching roughly 3.6 m by 3 m where conditions allow, with oval, toothed leaves that may persist in mild winters. Choose a sheltered site facing east or west and avoid exposed, windy positions. Light shade tends to give the best flower colour, though the shrub will also tolerate full sun provided soil remains moist. Aim for a fertile, moisture-retentive loam with good drainage; the species tolerates a wide pH range from acid to alkaline while preferring consistently moist but free-draining conditions. Hardiness varies by selection: some forms are classed H2–H3 (half-hardy to borderline) while more resilient clones fall into H4–H5 (average to hardy) in UK terms, so place tender kinds in containers that can be moved to shelter if needed. Use it at the back of mixed borders, in containers or tucked into a woodland edge; trailing selections work well in hanging baskets. The pendant white flowers provide an extended display through summer and into autumn, lending a light presence to shaded planting from June to October.

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 'Alba' 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
Suggested uses: Borders, containers, woodland gardens
Native to: Southern South America

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Fuchsia magellanica 'Alba'

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 'Alba'?

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 'Alba'?

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

What soil does Fuchsia magellanica 'Alba' need?

Fuchsia magellanica 'Alba' 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 'Alba'?

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.