Fuchsias are enjoying a revival

Septembre 2023: Close-up of pink- colored Fuchsia FlowersElisabeth Schittenhelm

One of the best shrubs for flowers over a long period, good old fuchsias bloom abundantly from June until the frosts. With wonderfully gaudy, clashing colours and long stamens and pistils, the flowers dangle from the stems like 1980s earrings. Back in fashion, thanks to their tropical look and wildlife appeal, these shrubs are excellent in a jungle-style garden, producing an exotic mood but tough enough to survive our winters. Faring well in pots, they are also ideal for an urban courtyard or terrace.

The fuchsia revival centres around the single flowers of the magellanica fuchsia and its offspring. Their simple flower shape and wildlife appeal fits effortlessly into the contemporary garden, and they are low maintenance, to boot.

Yes, the single-flowered forms are great wildlife plants. There are 107 species of fuchsia, most of which are single-flowered shrubs from South America. In their native habitat, they are pollinated by hummingbirds, but, in the UK, they feed bees. However, of the 8,000 varieties on the market, most are blousy double and semi-double forms sold as summer bedding; as well as sometimes looking a bit dated, the nectar of these buxom hybrids isn't as plentiful or accessible as the more modern-looking single forms. In a study of gardens in Bristol, single-flowered Fuchsia magellanica was one of the main late sources of nectar for pollinating insects, such as bees; F. magellanica is a great garden plant, and there are plenty of single-flowered varieties to choose from too, such as ‘Margaret Brown’ and F. magellanica 'Lady Bacon'.

Most widely-available fuchsias are hardy down to -5°C, and sometimes -10°C, making them suitable for the majority of British gardens. However, some are tender and therefore only suitable for mild regions and conservatories, so check with your supplier. Although the majority of wild fuchsias are tropical or subtropical plants, wonderful Fuchsia magellanica hails from the temperate south of Chile and Argentina, including mountainous Magallanes, and it is thus hardy here. It is one of the fuchsias that was used to breed many of our hardy garden cultivars and it has naturalised on the west coast of Ireland.

Fuchsia magellanica

Federica Grassi

For wildlife - The single-flowered fuchsias provide the most nectar for bees and other pollinators; they also have a simple elegance that suits modern gardens. 'Flash' is raspberry and red, 'Hawkshead'is white, and F. magellanica var. molinae 'Sharpitor' is pale lilac pink with variegated leaves; all three reach around 1-metre tall.

For an exotic look - For a tropical feel, 'Genii' has vibrant magenta and purple single flowers amongst golden-lime leaves, and new cultivar 'Delta's Sara' produces semi-double lavender and white blooms. Both grow to 60 to 90 centimetres. For modern, wildlife-friendly single flowers, Fuchsia magellanica ‘Logan Woods’ is superb over a long period, hung with white, pink, and violet flowers.

For pink flowers - The classic fuchsia flower colour is a heavenly shade of shocking Schiaparelli pink that glows almost red in sunlight and brightens the garden on glum grey days. There are several varieties that boast this traditional colour, including Fuchsia campos-portoi and Fuchsia magellanica var. gracilis 'Versicolor' – both produce carmine and damson single flowers and reach 1 to 1.5 metres; and the latter also boasts gorgeous pink foliage that matures to cream, grey, and green.

For pots - Most fuchsias fare well in containers and their dangling flowers make them excellent in hanging baskets. 'Army Nurse' has buxom semi-double blooms in vivid shades of magenta red and purple, and 'Dying Embers' has smaller single flowers that are dark aubergine and shocking pink. Both grow to 60 centimetres.

For hedging - In mild areas, the larger of the hardy garden fuchsias make good hedging plants. The classic is Fuchsia magellanica, with its classic raspberry and purple single flowers that feed bees. Depending on the conditions, it can reach 1 to 3 metres. Slightly less vigorous are the pink-white form, F. magellanica 'Alba', and the exotic-looking new variety ‘Arauco’, which has slender pink, red, white, and purple flowers. For cold areas, 'Riccartonii' is the best hedge fuchsia, as it's much hardier than the others and therefore less likely to die back each winter.

Bunch of Gorgeous Vibrant Pink Blossoming Fuchsia Flowers, Cusco, Peru, South Americalovelypeace

Choose a sheltered site in semi-shade or in east or west-facing sun. Fuchsias like retentive, well-drained, fertile soil, so fork in organic matter (such as peat-free compost) before planting.

Cut fuchsias in spring, as required. In mild gardens, a light trim may be all that is needed. In colder regions or harsh winters, Jack Frost may kill off the upper part of the plant; if so, prune hard to remove the dead stems and stimulate new growth.

Yes, most widely available garden fuchsias are hardy semi-evergreen shrubs. So, unless you have purchased a tender form (which ought to be grown as an annual summer bedding plant or enjoyed in a conservatory), your fuchsia will live for years.

Fuchsia boliviana

Tom Meaker

When hardy fuchsias are given the right conditions and care, they are low-maintenance, easy shrubs to grow.

• Fuchsias dislike extreme sun and extreme shade, so avoid a scorching south-facing spot. Less intense sun or part shade is best.
• Enjoying good, retentive, well-drained soil, it's worth mulching around your fuchsia once a year with organic matter (such as peat-free compost). Do it after the spring prune or in late autumn or both.
• Water newly-planted fuchsias well, until established.
• Prune n spring, if necessary.
• All the forms mentioned above are classed as H4 (hardy in most of the UK), except robust 'Riccartonii', which is hardy everywhere in the UK (H6). If you live in Penzance or own a conservatory, you could try growing one of the tender fuchsias, such as fabulous Fuchsia boliviana, which is hung with clusters of long vermillion flowers in late summer and autumn.
• Fuchsia flowers look like ballerinas in tutus, so it's understandable to want to plant them in a breeze to watch them dance. But, if growing outdoors in most parts of the UK, it's best to shelter them from cold winds.
• In colder areas, newly-planted fuchsias can be protected with horticultural fleece for their first winter, and those in pots can be overwintered under cover.
• Most hardy fuchsias are relatively compact, reaching 60 centimetres to 1 metre, and can therefore be grown in containers. Use a loam-based compost and a few handfuls of grit.
• To create a fuchsia hedge, plant 45-centimetres apart. Water well, until established. Trim scraggly parts of the hedge lightly in autumn for shape and give it a harder cut in early spring.
• Some fuchsias have a lax, trailing habit and are often classed as climbers. 'Lady Boothby' is one of the best – it has generous red and damson flowers and can be grown as a wall shrub or aided in scrambling through trellis by tying in.