About
This deciduous upright shrub with opposite or whorled dark green leaves, and from summer to autumn pendent single flowers with a conspicuous red tube and red sepals and a blue-violet corolla.
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 typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
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. Prune back hard to ground level in early spring if an infestation of fuchsia gall mite is present or if top growth dies during winter, burn cuttings.
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in any season
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, fuchsia gall mite, capsid bug and vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fuchsia rust, grey moulds and honey fungus (rarely)