Overview
Fuchsia magellanica 'Gracilis' 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 'Gracilis' 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 hanging baskets. It is native to Chile and Argentina.
About
Fuchsia magellanica 'Gracilis' is a shrub with arching to trailing stems that carries pendent, tubular flowers from June to October. Native to Chile and Argentina, it has oval, toothed leaves that may remain evergreen in milder areas. Plants reach about 3.6 m tall with a spread to roughly 3 m, with trailing forms suited to baskets and more upright selections used in beds and borders.
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 member of the Onagraceae, Fuchsia magellanica 'Gracilis' comes from Chile and Argentina and is grown in the UK for its long season of pendent flowers (June to October). The species has arching stems and a habit that ranges from trailing in basket cultivars to a more rounded shrub in ground-planted selections. Position it in partial shade to full sun; light shade typically produces the best flower colour. It prefers a fertile, moisture-retentive loam that remains moist but well drained and will tolerate acid, neutral or alkaline soils. Aim for a west- or east-facing aspect in a sheltered spot to reduce exposure stress. Hardiness varies: tender selections fall into H2–H3 (half-hardy to borderline) while the more robust shrubs are rated H4–H5 (average to hardy in UK terms), so choose the form that matches your local winter conditions. Use Fuchsia magellanica 'Gracilis' in borders, containers or hanging baskets where its arching stems can be shown to advantage. Although the berries are edible, they are produced only sparsely and are not generally grown for eating in UK gardens.
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 'Gracilis' 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, hanging baskets
- 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 'Gracilis'
- 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 'Gracilis'?
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 'Gracilis'?
Fuchsia magellanica 'Gracilis' prefers partial shade to full sun; light shade gives the best flower colour. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Fuchsia magellanica 'Gracilis' need?
Fuchsia magellanica 'Gracilis' 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 'Gracilis'?
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 'Gracilis' grow?
Fuchsia magellanica 'Gracilis' reaches a height of 3.6 m and a spread of 3 m.
Is Fuchsia magellanica 'Gracilis' hardy in the UK?
Fuchsia magellanica 'Gracilis' 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 'Gracilis'?
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 'Gracilis' 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
- Fuchsia 'Caroline'fuchsia 'Caroline'
- Fuchsia 'Henri Poincaré'
- Fuchsia 'Lancashire Lass'
- Fuchsia 'Maxine's Smile'
- Fuchsia 'My Little Sparkler'
- Fuchsia 'Turkish Delight'
- Fuchsia 'Adrienne' (d)fuchsia 'Adrienne'
- Fuchsia 'Angela Leslie' (d)fuchsia 'Angela Leslie'