Overview
Fuchsia magellanica 'Versicolor' 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 'Versicolor' 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 hedges. It is native to southern South America.
About
Fuchsia magellanica 'Versicolor' is a shrub notable for its long flowering season from June to October. It grows as a multi-stemmed, arching plant up to about 3.6 m high with a 3 m spread, and some cultivars trail for baskets. Leaves are oval, toothed and mid to dark green, and the plant can be deciduous or evergreen in milder areas. It prefers light shade for the best flower colour but tolerates partial shade to full sun.
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 member of the evening-primrose family (Onagraceae), Fuchsia magellanica 'Versicolor' originates from southern South America and is cultivated for its extended summer and autumn display, flowering from June to October. Plants range from half-hardy types through genuinely hardy garden forms, so check the provenance: some forms are half-hardy to borderline (H2–H3) while others carry H4–H5 ratings and will persist through typical UK winters in sheltered spots. Position this fuchsia in partial shade to full sun, with a little light shade to promote the best flower colour. It prefers a fertile, moisture-retentive loam that remains moist but drains freely and tolerates acid, neutral or alkaline soils. An east- or west-facing aspect in a sheltered situation suits it best; trailing cultivars adapt well to hanging baskets or containers where moisture can be monitored. Expect a substantial plant: allow roughly 3.6 m in height and 3 m of spread when siting in borders. Use it where a long season of pendant blooms is wanted close to seating or paths, or in containers on sheltered patios; in milder coastal or urban sites it may remain evergreen through winter, retaining its mid to dark green foliage.
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 'Versicolor' 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, Hedges
- Native to
- southern South America
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Fuchsia magellanica 'Versicolor'
- 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 'Versicolor'?
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 'Versicolor'?
Fuchsia magellanica 'Versicolor' prefers partial shade to full sun; light shade gives the best flower colour. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Fuchsia magellanica 'Versicolor' need?
Fuchsia magellanica 'Versicolor' 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 'Versicolor'?
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 'Versicolor' grow?
Fuchsia magellanica 'Versicolor' reaches a height of 3.6 m and a spread of 3 m.
Is Fuchsia magellanica 'Versicolor' hardy in the UK?
Fuchsia magellanica 'Versicolor' 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 'Versicolor'?
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'