Hardy Fuchsias
Fuchsia ‘Santa Claus’ growing in the author’s garden
We have discussed caring for fuchsias in pots and hanging baskets in an earlier post but this time let’s take a look at the hardy fuchsias. These are plants that can be planted in the ground and they will come back year after year.
Hardy fuchsias encompass a large group of plants and there are many colors as well as sizes available. Some types only grow to a few feet while others (like ‘Cardinal’ can grow to 8 feet tall!).
The degree of cold hardiness can vary among varieties. Generally, hardy fuchsias will die down to the ground after frost but should emerge again in the spring. Here are a few tips to ensure that your fuchsia will come back next spring:
- They grow best in soils that are moderately rich and drain well. Add a shovel-full of compost to your planting hole and mix it well with the native soil. If drainage is a problem, add some 3-in-1 mix to the planting hole.
- Plant deeper than you normally would – in the case of hardy fuchsias, dig a hole deep enough so that the soil level in the pot will be 4-5 inches deep. Think of them like you would a tomato – planting deeply will increase root survival.
- Plant in full sun or partial shade.
- Apply a mulch that is several inches deep (wood chips are recommended).
- Prune back any deep limbs in early spring before the new growth begins.
- Be patient – fuchsias are slow to begin and you may think your plant is dead. Give it time and leaves should begin to appear as the ground warms up.
- Apply fresh mulch in the spring to help keep the root zone cool. However, do not pile the mulch up around the base of the plant.
- After new leaves appear, you can apply fertilizer. Fuchsias are heavy feeders but in-ground plants will usually bloom fine if they are planted in organic-rich soil.
Hardy Fuchsia varieties at Yard n Garden Land include:
‘Shrimp Cocktail’
‘Cardinal’
‘White Knights Pearl’
‘Voltaire’
‘Checkerboard’
‘Hawkshead’
