About
Fuchsia regia, the royal fuchsia, is a species from Brazil that develops a spreading, semi-climbing habit in forest conditions, reaching considerable size. It produces glossy-green leaves on red stems and cerise-pink and purple flowers from summer through autumn. A beautiful and vigorous species fuchsia for a frost-free garden.
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, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Trailing
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Coastal, Patio and container plants
Native toBrazil
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 moist but well-drained, fertile soil in sun or part shade. Hardy outside in most UK regions. Plant the base of the stem 5cm below the soil surface, provide a deep winter mulch and shelter from cold drying winds. See hardy fuchsia cultivation for further information
PruningPruning group 6
PropagationPropagate by softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings
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)