Some of the loveliest fuchsias are hardy enough to make picturesque accents as ornamental plants in the garden. Creative gardeners have been using this fact for generations to transform the semi-shady edge of the wood or balcony into a tropical sea of flowers. How the classic feels comfortable in your green kingdom and thrives magnificently is explained in detail in the following answers to frequently asked questions.

The fuchsia creates a magical ambience with its filigree blossoms

Plant fuchsia properly

From the beginning/middle of May, sunny to partially shaded, humid locations in the garden should be reserved for the fuchsia. Dig about 20 cm deep hollows in the fresh, well-drained and nutrient-rich soil. There, plant the plants so deep that the soil initially reaches the lower pairs of leaves. As the season progresses, pile up the compost-enriched soil in proportion to the progress of growth. This measure makes an important contribution to healthy and undamaged overwintering.

care tips

The professional care program for a fuchsia is based on a well-balanced package of measures. We have compiled all relevant key points for you in the following overview:

  • Ensure even soil moisture without causing waterlogging
  • If the air is dry in the morning or evening, shower with lime-free water
  • From April to September fertilize weekly with compost or liquid fertilizer
  • Clean up withered and faded areas consistently
  • Bridging a summer flowering break with a slight pruning
  • Mound outdoor fuchsias thickly with foliage before winter; additionally attach pins
  • Shape and maintenance pruning in early spring without cutting into the old wood

Cultivated in planters, Fuchsia move to semi-dark winter quarters in October/November. Previously, all withered flowers and yellowed leaves are removed. At a cool 10-12 degrees Celsius, water occasionally to keep the root ball from drying out.

Which location is suitable?

The fuchsia thrives healthy and blooms happily in a sunny to partially shaded location. Choose a warm, wind-protected location without a cold draft. The tropical beauty of flowers also does not tolerate blazing sun or summer heat and reacts angrily by refusing to bloom.
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What soil does the plant need?

The fuchsia does its best in humus-rich, well-drained and nutrient-rich soil. This is all the more true in fresh, moist soil that is not threatened by waterlogging. For cultivation in tubs and flower boxes (€16.99), we recommend a mix of equal parts garden soil, compost and sand. Alternatively, a high-quality and structurally stable potting soil with a low peat content.

What is the best planting time?

So that the conditionally hardy garden fuchsia can fully establish itself in the bed before winter, we recommend spring planting. Plant the young perennials in the ground from the beginning/middle of May at the earliest, provided that late frosts are no longer to be feared.

When is flowering time?

The fuchsia develops its striking flowers with the long tube and the elegant, often different colored petals and sepals from June to October. The flower inspires with a wide range of colors in white, red, pink, purple, violet and blue. Sometimes fuchsias stop flowering in the middle of summer. Don't let that irritate you. Simply cut back shoots that are too long to the first vital bud. In no time the Blossom Festival continues.
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Properly cut fuchsia

A well-considered pruning at the right time makes an important contribution to vitality and flowering. How to cut the fuchsia correctly:

  • Pinch off every 2-3 weeks in April and May for richly branched growth
  • Rinse faded flowers regularly
  • In the event of a summer break in flowering, shorten branches that are too long to the first healthy bud
  • Thin out in January and cut back the shoots by a third; if possible not in the old wood

Cut back fuchsias in the tub a little before putting them away by removing all the withered flowers and the yellowed foliage. Only in early spring does the subshrub get its shape and is thoroughly thinned out. Each branch should start the new season with at least 2 buds.
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Water fuchsia

Even soil moisture in combination with high humidity motivates all fuchsia species and varieties to perform at their best. Therefore, never allow the root ball to dry out. Once the surface has dried, water moderately without causing waterlogging. In addition, spoil the tropical ornamental plant with a shower of lime-free water in the early morning or in the evening.

Fertilize fuchsia properly

Weekly doses of fertilizer are one of the mainstays in a professional care program. From April to September, work the compost that has matured in the bed lightly into the soil and then water it. In the pot and balcony box, apply a commercial liquid fertilizer for flowering plants every 8-10 days.

hibernate

The winter protection of garden fuchsias starts with the planting by planting the root balls in a small hollow and a little deeper than in the nursery pot. In proportion to the growth, the small hollow is filled with substrate over the course of the summer. If winter is just around the corner, take these precautions in the bed for a healthy hibernation:

  • Pile up the root disk 20-30 cm high with leaves, straw and brushwood
  • Pin spruce branches around the crowns to protect against icy winds
  • Only in February/March make a topiary and thin out thoroughly

Plant the fuchsias in tubs or balcony boxes as late as possible, because light frosts down to -3 degrees Celsius are tolerated and harden the plant. Remove any faded flowers and yellowed foliage with a light pruning. In a slightly darkened room, the Fuchsia hibernate at 10-12 degrees Celsius. Water sparingly to keep the root ball from drying out. Don't fertilize during the winter. In March, the subshrub gets its central topiary and is carefully cleaned of deadwood, stunted shoots and inward branches.
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Grow fuchsia

Both hobby gardeners and professional horticulturists favor the cuttings method for propagating fuchsias. To do this, cut off non-flowering shoots with a length of 10-15 cm in early summer. In the lower half, all leaves are removed. Now fill small pots with peat sand in order to plant two-thirds of 1-2 cuttings in each. Rooting progresses quickly in a semi-shady location at 18-20 degrees Celsius. In addition, put a plastic bag over each pot, supported with matches, because the material must not touch the cuttings. The warm, humid microclimate also promotes root growth. Keep the substrate constantly slightly moist and ventilate the hood daily.

Alternatively, place the cuttings in a glass of water to which you add a piece of charcoal to prevent rot. Once root strands with a length of 2-3 cm have formed, pot the cuttings in lean substrate. It is important to note that young outdoor fuchsias are gradually hardened off in a partially shaded spot in the garden or on the balcony before planting out.

Fuchsia in the pot

Fuchsias thrive in pots if they are given a well-drained, nutrient-rich substrate. A mix of equal parts normal garden soil, mature compost and quartz sand (€15.85) is ideal. A potsherd above the water drain effectively prevents standing water. Water the plant in the early morning or late evening as long as the substrate has dried. Apply liquid fertilizer at weekly intervals from April to September. Consistent cleaning of wilted flowers effectively contributes to a long flowering period and maintains a well-groomed appearance. Fuchsia spend the winter in a semi-dark, frost-free room at temperatures of 10-12 degrees Celsius.

Is fuchsia poisonous?

With regard to a possible poison content, we can give the all-clear. There are no toxic components in fuchsias. On the contrary, the juicy berries are even edible. Eaten fresh or prepared with jam, syrup or cake toppings, the fruits give us a refreshing treat.

Fuchsia does not bloom

If your fuchsia refuses to flower, the dilemma results from various causes. We have compiled common triggers and tips for remedying them for you here:

  • Drought stress: Never let a fuchsia's root ball dry out; shower the plant gently on a regular basis
  • Waterlogging: Plant in well-drained soil, in a pot with drainage and only water when the surface has dried
  • Nutrient deficiency: Fertilize weekly with compost or liquid fertilizer during the growth and flowering period
  • Lack of light: settle the ornamental plant in a sunny to partially shaded location

The fuchsia only tolerates a sunny location if the soil has a sufficient moisture content. Under the blazing sun and heat, the flowers wilt or do not unfold at all.
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trivia

At the beginning of the 19th century, the enthusiasm for fuchsias in Europe was so great that expeditions were started to search for other species and varieties. The German botanist Karl Theodor Hartweg traveled to Central America from 1836 to 1843. We owe this trip the discovery of magnificent fuchsia species, such as the unique Fuchsia fulgens with the extra long flower tubes. By the middle of the 19th century, 64 known fuchsia species had come together in this way.

Beautiful varieties

Within the fuchsia genus, 107 species are described, from which more than 12,000 varieties emerged. The scarlet fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica) and its hybrids are primarily suitable for cultivation in Central European ornamental gardens. The following selection presents you with recommended varieties in which the scarlet fuchsia is involved at least as a parent or grandparent.

  • Gracilis: Probably the most popular garden fuchsia with purple-violet flowers and a graceful silhouette; Growth height 60-100 cm
  • Sharpitor: Extravagant variety that draws attention to itself with pink flowers and white-edged foliage; Growth height 60-70 cm
  • Alba: Majestic outdoor fuchsia with numerous, small, white-pink flowers until autumn; Growth height 120 cm
  • Hawshead: An elegant variety that trumps Alba for purity of white flowers; Growth height 60-100 cm
  • Arauco: Magnificent play of colors with flowers in white, pink and purple-violet and a long flowering period; Growth height up to 70 cm
  • Aurea: A gold outdoor fuchsia whose golden yellow foliage accentuates the reddish purple flowers; Growth height 60-80 cm

Category:

Indoor plants