Overview
Fuchsia magellanica 'Thompsonii' 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 'Thompsonii' 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 Southern South America.
About
Fuchsia magellanica 'Thompsonii' is a multi-stemmed, arching shrub noted for a long display of pendent flowers. It reaches about 3.6 m tall with a 3 m spread and carries oval, toothed mid to dark green leaves that are deciduous or evergreen in milder locations. Flowering runs from June to October and the cultivar range includes upright shrubs and trailing forms 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
Fuchsia magellanica 'Thompsonii' originates from southern South America and is a member of the Onagraceae family. Plants form multiple stems with arching growth and produce pendent blooms over an extended season, making them a long-flowering presence from June to October. In milder parts of the UK foliage may remain semi-evergreen, while colder spots see it drop leaves. Site the plant in partial shade to full sun, noting that a little light shade often improves flower colour. It prefers a fertile, moisture-retentive loam that stays moist but drains freely; pH can be acid, neutral or alkaline. For exposure choose a sheltered position and favour west- or east-facing aspects. Hardiness varies: tender selections sit in the H2–H3 range (half-hardy to borderline), while more robust garden selections fall into H4–H5 (average to hardy) — pick material to suit your local conditions. Use Fuchsia magellanica 'Thompsonii' in mixed borders, containers or hanging baskets; trailing cultivars are specifically suited to suspended displays. Where space allows, allow the arching stems room to spread so the pendant flowers show to best effect as they spill over rims.
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 'Thompsonii' 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
- Southern South America
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Fuchsia magellanica 'Thompsonii'
- 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 'Thompsonii'?
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 'Thompsonii'?
Fuchsia magellanica 'Thompsonii' prefers partial shade to full sun; light shade gives the best flower colour. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Fuchsia magellanica 'Thompsonii' need?
Fuchsia magellanica 'Thompsonii' 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 'Thompsonii'?
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 'Thompsonii' grow?
Fuchsia magellanica 'Thompsonii' reaches a height of 3.6 m and a spread of 3 m.
Is Fuchsia magellanica 'Thompsonii' hardy in the UK?
Fuchsia magellanica 'Thompsonii' 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 'Thompsonii'?
Softwood cuttings root with unusual ease in spring and summer and are the standard method for every cultivar. Species can be grown from seed.
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'