Fabulous Fuchsia’s 

"When in full bloom, their delicate multi-coloured blooms droop in gorgeous masses from arching slender stems, presenting a dazzling, display of beauty." writes Lynn Ash of Fuchsia world

There are many varieties of Fuchsia, rangeing from tall shrubs to very fragile greenhouse specimens. Three groups within these varieties are classified as Hardy Fuchsias, Tender Fuchsias, and Trailing Fuchsias. Their flower forms include the following: Single, Semi-Double, Double, and Clustered.

Hardy Fuchsias  

As their name suggests, can withstand colder winter temperatures than their "tender and trailing" cousins. Hardy varieties tend to be shrubby and are great for planting in mixed borders or hedges. Be aware, however, that some species labeled hardy are really only borderline hardy. If not protected during the winter, they will likely lose some leaves or suffer other cold damage, especially if temperatures dip below 39 degrees F.

Tender Fuchsias 

Always need some winter protection in colder areas. This variety is a superb outdoor summer container plant. It can be treated as an annual or moved to a sheltered area in the winter.

Trailing Fuchsias 

True to their name, trailing fuchsias are the most desirable for planting in suspended containers. Their branches are notably weaker than those of hardy and tender varieties. This results in a natural trailing growth habit that lets them cascade beautifully over the edges of their containers. 

When in full bloom, their delicate multi-coloured blooms droop in gorgeous masses from arching slender stems, presenting a dazzling, display of beauty. 

Trailing fuchsias are planted as annuals in most areas. 

Fuchsias do tend to be fussy about there possioning for instance—they only need about 4 hours of full sun a day, preferably in the morning. They do like some light shade during the afternoon when the sun’s at it’s highest, and sheltered from too much wind. 

Fuchsia’s prefer moderate temperatures. Therefore, LOCATION should be your number one priority.

Container Options

Selecting good containers for trailing fuchsias is important. Containers come in many styles, shapes, sizes and are made from a variety of materials.  

Containers should be lightweight but sturdy. Pottery containers aren't a great choice as they are heavy and dry out quickly. 

Many people prefer wire baskets filled with sphagnum moss. These are lovely and light, but also dry out faster than plastic containers.  

Plastic containers are a great choice as they are lightweight and are offered in different colours, hanging devices, and drip trays.

Since plants in containers require adequate drainage holes, drip trays are essential. 

Watering hanging containers without drip trays can be quite messy, especially when hung on balconies, decks, or walkways.

Soil and Fertilizer 

Fuchsias thrive in rich, fertile soil. 

Fill containers with a commercial soil-less potting mix. Soil-less mixes help retain water while providing good drainage and aeration. Also, soil-less mixes have been sterilized and are free of diseases and weeds. 

Soil-less mixes contain combinations of organic matter including peat moss, fir or pine bark, and redwood shavings, as well as vermiculite, perlite, and sand. 

These ingredients make soil-less mixes lighter in weight -- a definite plus for suspended containers. 

Alternatively you can use a multi-purpose compost with feed and water retention crystals included, though this tends to be heavy it’s fine for trough’s and tubs.

Pruning

Hardy Fuchsia’s need pruning in autumn, trim branch’s down to 18” for the winter. This prevents high winter winds from loosening your plants, but still leaves enough old growth to protect 'crown' of plant from frost damage. In Spring when new growth appears at ground level cut off previous years growth. The exception to this is if you are growing a hedge of fuchsia plants. 

Pot plants to be over-wintered in either greenhouse with heat or frost free place with no extra heat. 

In the Autumn remove all old flowers and foliage, cut back to within 4"/6" above soil level. Remove at least 1" of topsoil. 

Give plant and pot a thorough clean, spray with insecticide and fungicide, treat with Bravado against vine-weevil.

Vine Weevil 

This is the fuchsia growers worst enemy, the adult vine-weevil will feed on the leafs, cutting half circles around the edge of the leafs. Then bury themselves into the soil where they lay there eggs. The babies hatch in spring and eat the roots, thus killing your plant. All vine-weevils are females.