About

A deciduous shrub with opposite or whorled dark green leaves, and pendent flowers with a conspicuous orange tubes, four spreading sepals and four erect petals, borne from spring to summer.

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

SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Coastal, Sub-tropical
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 a heated greenhouse, windowsill or conservatory, in containers of peat-free multi-purpose potting compost and plant outside in early summer, or use for summer containers in sun or part shade. Water freely and apply a general liquid fertiliser monthly, from spring to summer. See tender fuchsia cultivation for further information
PruningPruning Group 6
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in any season.
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, fuchsia gall mite, fuchsia flea beetle, glasshouse red spider mite and vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fuchsia rust, grey moulds and honey fungus (rarely)