Overview
Fuchsia magellanica 'Variegata' 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 'Variegata' 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 'Variegata' is an arching, multi-stemmed shrub originating from southern South America, notable for a long season of pendent flowers from June to October. Leaves are oval and toothed, remaining deciduous or evergreen in milder winters. Mature plants can reach around 3.6 m high with a spread of about 3 m. It performs best in a sheltered, east- or west-facing position on fertile, moisture-retentive loam.
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 South American native, Fuchsia magellanica 'Variegata' produces a succession of pendent flowers through the summer and into autumn, with the UK flowering season from June to October. The plant typically forms well-branched, arching growth and is offered both as larger shrubs and as trailing forms for baskets. Leaves are oval and toothed and may persist in mild winters. Position it in partial shade to full sun, noting that light shade tends to give the best flower colour. Rooting medium should be a fertile, moisture-retentive loam that is consistently moist but well drained; the species tolerates acid, neutral or alkaline soils. Choose a sheltered spot, ideally on an east- or west-facing aspect to avoid exposed conditions that can reduce flowering. Hardiness varies with type: tender forms sit around H2–H3 (half-hardy to borderline), while the hardier selections are H4–H5 (average to hardy) and suit milder UK gardens. With a height to about 3.6 m and a spread near 3 m it suits mixed shrub borders, sheltered patio planters and hanging baskets (for the trailing cultivars). Expect pendant blooms to appear along the length of the arching shoots from early summer through to October.
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 'Variegata' 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 'Variegata'
- 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 'Variegata'?
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 'Variegata'?
Fuchsia magellanica 'Variegata' prefers partial shade to full sun; light shade gives the best flower colour. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Fuchsia magellanica 'Variegata' need?
Fuchsia magellanica 'Variegata' 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 'Variegata'?
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 'Variegata' grow?
Fuchsia magellanica 'Variegata' reaches a height of 3.6 m and a spread of 3 m.
Is Fuchsia magellanica 'Variegata' hardy in the UK?
Fuchsia magellanica 'Variegata' 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 'Variegata'?
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'