About
This compact, rounded shrub to about 60cm tall and wide, with small dark green leaves, and from summer to autumn produces small, single flowers with red tubes, deep red sepals and purple corollas, followed by deep red oblong fruit; suited to low hedging or border edging.
About the genus
Fuchsia can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or trees, rarely perennials, with opposite or whorled leaves and usually pendent flowers with conspicuous tubular calyx, 4 spreading sepals and 4 erect petals
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Spreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
Native toS. America
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
CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or part shade. Plant the base of the stems 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
PruningPruning group 6
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in spring or semi-ripe cuttings in summer
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)