Basic care
Fuchsias are renowned for their mass of distinctive, pendulous flowers. They can be grown as shrubs, standards, trailing over baskets or even trained along lattice.
Fuchsias need a sheltered, mostly shady position with morning sun. Water daily (twice daily in the heat of summer if your plants are potted) but don’t overdo it. They also benefit from a daily misting of water which increases the humidity of their environment.
A light prune after the first flowering will encourage repeat growth. Fuchsias are also greedy feeders, so sprinkle with slow release fertiliser to bring out their best.
In the garden
Choose a well-lit, shaded position with good drainage and protection from winds. Mulch well, particularly in summer, to keep their roots cool.
In pots or baskets
Use a quality, well-draining potting mix with the addition of a slow release fertiliser, along with water crystals blended through the mix to give them a good start. If a fuchsia in a pot or basket dries out, immerse the container into a bucket of water and leave it to soak thoroughly.
Propagating from cuttings
Fuchsias are very easy to propagate from cuttings. It’s a great way to swap different varieties with fellow gardeners. With plenty of healthy new growth, spring is a great time to take cuttings and within a few weeks your new plants will be ready to re-pot.
- Take tip cuttings about 10cm length with at least 3 sets of leaves. Make sure your tools are clean.
- Carefully cut off the lower 2 sets of leaves and plant into a pot containing a 50/50 mix of potting mix and coarse sand.
- Place a plastic bag or bottle over the cutting to keep the climate humid.
- Root more cuttings than you need - it’s unlikely that 100% will take, and don’t fiddle with your cuttings; allow them to root undisturbed.
