Colorful fuchsias bring drama to garden beds and patios alike.
With their tropical, pendulous blooms, eye-catching fuchsias create a fabulous garden focal point.
The shrubs can grow 1 to 2 feet per year.
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Most fuchsia cannot tolerate frost and should be planted when nighttime temperatures remain at 50 F or warmer.
Annual and perennial varieties can produce showy blooms from spring through fall on both trailing and upright forms.
In the South, plant fuchsias in light shade to part sun with plenty of light.
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Use moist, well-draining soil and feed regularlywith compostor an all-purpose or bloom-boosting fertilizer.
Light
Fuchsias grow best in part shade or light shade but do need bright light to bloom.
Dappled sun all day can provide enough light in hot climates.
With partial shade, morning sun is best.
The afternoon sun is often too hot for fuchsias in the South.
Soil
They prefer well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil rich with humus or organic matter.
Water
During the growing season, keep the plant moist but not soggy.
Container plants will need daily watering.
Temperature And Humidity
Fuchsias thrive in cooler, humid conditions, though some hybrids tolerate warmer temperatures.
They are sensitive to extreme heat (above 85) and drought.
Fuschia looks its best with mild daytime highs and cooler nights.
In hot, dry areas plants will stop blooming and struggle in the summer.
Hardy fuschia such asF.
magellanicacan survive winters in Zone 5.
The plants will die back from frost and reemerge in spring.
Fertilizer
Fuchsias are heavy feeders, performing best withroutine fertilizing.
Include organic matter when first planted and feed every few weeks through the growing season.
Use all-purpose food through spring, then switch to a bloom-promoting blend in summer.
Cut back fertilizing in fall as growth naturally slows.
It can also be pruned lightly throughout the growing season to keep the shape you want.
Pruning will encourage fuller growth.
Fuchsia flowers don’t have to be deadheaded, but removing the berries will encourage more flowering.
Do not deadhead all the blooms if you want to harvest seeds.
Allow a few flowers to fall off naturally.
The berry will grow, then turn dark and begin to shrivel when its ready.
If the seeds youve harvested come from hybridized plants, they may not replicate the mother plant exactly.
Overwintering
With a little preparation, trailing fuchsias can be brought inside to overwinter.
Do not water regularly; they only need water a few times through the winter.
Bring back outside after the danger of frost has passed.
Mulch well around fully hardy varieties before winter to protect the roots.
Common Pests & Diseases
Fuchsias are prone to fungal infections and viral diseases.
Keep leaves and other garden material away from plants and ensure they have good air circulation.
Fuchsias are also prone to botrytis blight and fuchsia rust, though there are some resistant varieties available.
Treat with fungicide according to manufacturers directions.
Watch for whiteflies, aphids, thrips, mealybugs, spider mites, and scale.
Treat with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or pest-specific insecticides.
How To Get Fuchsia To Bloom
Fuchsia only blooms on new growth.
If your plant stops blooming, pinching stems will encourage new growth and eventually lead to more flowers.
Trim each branch individually as flowers fade for a more continuous bloom.
Keeping soil moist and providing a little direct light also promote flowering.
Leaves Dropping
Fuchsias will naturally drop leaves when the weather grows cold.
If the leaves turned yellow before dropping, this is a sign of too much water.
Scorched leaves indicate too much sunlight.
Leaf-sucking pests can also stress the plant, which should be treated as described above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fuchsia can be grown in full sun in a cool summer climate.
In hotter areas, they must be grown in part shade.
Fuchsia flowers are either scentless or have a very light fragrance.
