About
Fuchsia procumbens, the trailing fuchsia, is a remarkable spreading, prostrate shrub to around 15 cm tall and 1.2 m wide from New Zealand, with small, heart-shaped, dark-green leaves. In summer, solitary, upward-facing flowers have greenish-yellow to pale-orange tubes, reflexed deep-purple sepals and red-tipped stamens with blue pollen. Spherical, bright-red fruits follow. A highly distinctive and ornamental ground-cover fuchsia.
About the genus
Fuchsia are deciduous or evergreen shrubs, trees and occasionally perennials with opposite or whorled leaves and usually pendent flowers with a conspicuous tubular calyx, four spreading sepals and four erect petals in a wide range of colours. They flower prolifically from summer to autumn and range from frost-hardy border plants to tender species for heated glasshouses.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Shrubs
HabitMatforming, Trailing
FoliageDeciduous
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Coastal, Wildlife gardens
Native toNew Zealand
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 unheated greenhouse in containers of peat-free multi-purpose compost in bright indirect light and keep just moist. Can be grown outside in the summer months in sun or part shade, water freely and use a general liquid fertiliser monthly from spring to summer. May be hardy in mild areas or inner city locations. See tender fuchsia cultivation for further information
PruningPruning group 6; cut back to the base in frost prone areas
PropagationPropagate by seed at 15-24°C (59-75°F) in spring. Root softwood cuttings in spring, or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer with bottom heat
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)