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

Overview

Fuchsia magellanica 'Tricolor' 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 'Tricolor' 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 Southern South America.

About

Fuchsia magellanica 'Tricolor' is an arching, multi-stemmed shrub with a long display of pendent flowers from June to October. Native to southern South America, it can reach about 3.6 m in height with a spread near 3 m and will trail in baskets. Leaves are oval and toothed, deciduous though often evergreen in milder locations. It prefers partial shade to full sun, with light shade producing the best flower colour.

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 'Tricolor' belongs to the Onagraceae and comes from southern South America. It forms long, arching stems on a multi-stemmed framework and, in favourable spots, will reach around 3.6 m tall by 3 m across, or trail when used in hanging baskets. Plant in fertile, moisture-retentive loam that remains moist but is well drained; the species accepts acid, neutral or alkaline soils. Sit it on a west- or east-facing aspect where it receives partial shade to full sun — light shade will give the best flower colour — and choose a sheltered situation to protect the arching branches. Tender selections suit frost-free or protected sites (H2–H3, half-hardy to borderline), while the hardier cultivars will tolerate typical UK garden conditions down to H4–H5 (average to hardy). Use it in mixed shrub borders, against a sheltered wall, in large containers or in hanging baskets where its trailing habit can be shown off. Prune back long laterals after flowering to control size and encourage fresh growth; the oval, toothed leaves stay mid to dark green and often persist into mild winters, keeping some structure outside the flowering months.

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 'Tricolor' 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: Southern South America

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Fuchsia magellanica 'Tricolor'

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 'Tricolor'?

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 'Tricolor'?

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

What soil does Fuchsia magellanica 'Tricolor' need?

Fuchsia magellanica 'Tricolor' 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 'Tricolor'?

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 'Tricolor' grow?

Fuchsia magellanica 'Tricolor' reaches a height of 3.6 m and a spread of 3 m.

Is Fuchsia magellanica 'Tricolor' hardy in the UK?

Fuchsia magellanica 'Tricolor' 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 'Tricolor'?

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

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