Fantastic Fuchsias

Fuchsias add an extra touch of glamour to any garden and they’re ideally suited to growing along the border of partially shaded garden beds. These attractive shrubs, with their ballerina-shaped flowers, are available in a wide range of shades, from delicate pastels to striking purple and red varieties.

Want to grow your own fuchsias? Here’s what you need to know :

Fuchsias grow best in well-draining soil in dappled or partial shade and should be planted in areas where they are sheltered from the wind. They will also grow well in containers, provided that you ensure the containers drain well by placing large stones at the base of the pot.

When planting fuchsias, prepare the soil beforehand by mixing in a generous amount of compost and superphosphate. Dig a hole big enough to accommodate the plant and carefully remove the fuchsia from its container, making sure you don’t damage the roots. Place in the hole, firm in place and water well.

Fuchsias are hungry feeders and should be fed once a month, until the growth starts to die back (usually around March). At the beginning of the growth season (September), they should be fed with a high nitrogen fertilizer like 3:2:1. Once the plant starts to bloom, feed it with a high potassium feed like 3:1:5 to encourage good flower development.

Fuchsias should be watered frequently in dry weather, but make sure that the soil does not become soggy as they do not like having wet feet. Always water early in the morning (and not late at night) as fuchsias are prone to developing fungal diseases if they remain wet overnight.

Did you know? There are two main types of fuchsias: the bush varieties and the trailing varieties. Easy-to-grow bush varieties include Snowcap, Beacon and Winston Churchill. For hassle-free trailing varieties, try Merry Mary, RAF and La Campanella.