How to grow fuchsias

Cultivation
Fuchsias grow perfectly in full sun or partial shade with protection from cold winds, although they will appreciate some shade during the hottest part of the day in very hot summers. To bloom profusely, they need fertile, moist but well-drained soil.

If you are growing in containers, make sure you are using a good multipurpose compost or one with added John Innes such as Levington® Multipurpose Compost with John Innes added

Fuchsia varieties
There are literally hundreds of Fuchsia varieties in a plethora of different colors and color combinations. Most produce relatively small buds, while the ‘Turbo’ strains produce quite large buds.

They range from small, simple, single-leaved varieties to those that are multi-leaved and large enough to sit in the palm of your hand.

Fuchsias are divided into three large groups:

Bush fuchsias grow upright into bushy plants.

Hanging or basket fuchsias produce long, trailing stems, making them perfect for hanging baskets and adorning the edges of containers.

Both bush and hanging fuchsias are considered semi-hardy perennials. This means they will not survive temperatures below 4-5 °C (40-41 °F) and will need to overwinter in frost-free conditions if you want to keep them for years to come.

Hardy fuchsias are bushy varieties that are generally considered frost hardy and can remain in the garden all year round. The lines between hardy and non-hardy are a bit blurred, and varieties that are hardy in mild climates like Cornwall may not be hardy in more exposed, colder regions of the country.

Some fuchsias also produce variegated reddish or purple leaves

Plant fuchsias
Semi-hardy varieties are planted out in May/June after the danger of frost has passed. Hardy species should be planted in spring or early summer.

Dig a good sized planting hole large enough to easily accommodate the root ball. Add a layer of organic material such as compost or planting compost to the bottom of the hole and fork in.

Place the root ball in the planting hole and adjust the planting depth so that it is at the same depth at which it originally grew (except hardy fuchsias) and the root tips are level with the soil surface. Plant hardy fuchsias slightly lower, with the stems 2.5-5 cm (1-2 inches) below soil level.

Mix more organic material with the excavated soil and fill in the planting hole. Water well, add an all-purpose granular fertilizer to the soil around the plant, and sprinkle a 5-7.5 cm (2-3 inch) deep mulch of well-rotted garden compost or bark chips around the root area.

Recommended planting locations and garden types
Flower borders and beds, patios, tubs, city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal gardens. There are Fuschia species for most locations.