Overview
Fuchsia magellanica molinae 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 molinae 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 Chiloe Islands.
About
Fuchsia magellanica molinae is a Fuchsia shrub notable for a long flowering season from June to October. It has arching stems and appears as trailing forms in basket cultivars. Leaves are oval, toothed and mid to dark green, and the plant may be deciduous or evergreen in milder areas. Mature plants can reach around 3.6 m high with a spread near 3 m and prefer sheltered, east- or west-facing sites.
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 the Chiloe Islands and a member of the Onagraceae, Fuchsia magellanica molinae produces a succession of pendent blooms through the UK summer and into autumn (June to October). Its growth habit ranges from arching, multi-stemmed shrubs to trailing forms used in hanging baskets, and foliage is mid to dark green, turning deciduous in colder areas while remaining evergreen where winters are mild. Plant in fertile, moisture-retentive loam with good drainage and a neutral to acid or alkaline pH; the species tolerates a wide pH range provided soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Sit plants in partial shade to full sun — light shade tends to improve flower colour — and choose a sheltered east or west-facing aspect to reduce exposure to driving winds. Tender garden selections are rated H2–H3 (half-hardy to borderline), while hardier strains fall into H4–H5 (average to hardy) for UK conditions. Allow enough space for its roughly 3 m spread in a mixed border, or select trailing cultivars for containers and hanging baskets where they will spill over edges. Expect modest fruiting: while fuchsia berries are technically edible, they are produced sparsely and are not chiefly grown for flavour 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 molinae 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
- Chiloe Islands
- 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 molinae
- 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 molinae?
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 molinae?
Fuchsia magellanica molinae prefers partial shade to full sun; light shade gives the best flower colour. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Fuchsia magellanica molinae need?
Fuchsia magellanica molinae 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 molinae?
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 molinae grow?
Fuchsia magellanica molinae reaches a height of 3.6 m and a spread of 3 m.
Is Fuchsia magellanica molinae hardy in the UK?
Fuchsia magellanica molinae 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 molinae?
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 molinae 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'