The Fuchsia flower is somewhat unique in the world of gardening, sporting a pronounced corolla and often contrasting sepal color, all in a pendent-type flower. Over the eons, these are plants that have evolved right alongside their pollinating partners, the hummingbirds. They provide rich nectar for our winged friends, but also benefit other pollinators as well. In our area, flowering typically begins in June each season, adding a needed pop of summer color to the garden and container plantings. If you take a little time here and there to deadhead flowers, your specimens will continue in bud and bloom all the way until hard frost, late in the fall.
Hardy Fuchsias are quintessential woodland garden plants that will thrive in almost any part shade to part sun location. In our area most enjoy some sun, as long as they are watered a bit during our drier summer months. The one place to avoid, in my opinion, is reflected heat – sites that are up against the house or a wall in full afternoon sun. With over 2,000 cultivars, there are lots to choose from, but be careful with hardiness. Although the magical internet may tell you that we are located here in Zone 8 (that is essentially almost San Francisco, in all honesty) and means that we rarely dip below 20 degrees over the winter. No need to be risqué here, play it safe and go with cultivars that are rated to Zone 7 or better and disappointments will be kept to a minimum. Fuchsia magellanica (Magellan Fuchsia) and cultivars of this specie boast superior hardiness without question and are readily available.
One other major factor in hardiness, to me, is pruning and when you do so. Hardy Fuchsias are perennials that develop woody stems, and many will attain shrub-size with age. Sometimes in a colder winter the woody portion may die back a bit, but the roots should remain viable if mulched properly. This is one plant that I would never cut back in the fall or winter – wait until April each spring and let the plant tell you what to do. Mother Nature may cause some dieback, but you will see green nodes emerging all over the older wood each April, once the weather warms up, letting us gardeners know that now it is time to prune. You can simply pick your opening height for the season and cut the woody stems back to where there is green, and off they go. In very cold winters, like last winter, the wood might dieback to the ground but then the Fuchsia will shoot up fresh growth off of the root system and reboot. This is what many of mine did this winter, and although it may delay blooming until mid-summer, they still push foliage and then bloom once again.
Varieties can be found with prostrate, upright or even a fountain-like growth habit. Some are very diminutive in size while others attain heights of 5 feet or more, with time. A few even offer foliage color (golden leaves or perhaps some variegation) for added interest. When adding new Fuchsias to your landscape, be sure locations are well drained and add compost as amendment to your native soil. Planting these a little deeper in the ground (versus the pots they are sold in) may also help protect your crowns in colder winters. A quality organic rose/flower type fertilizer with alfalfa meal is ideal to add when planting. Existing older plants should be fed in late March and then again every six weeks or so through summer, if you can, to maximize flower power. Don’t go too heavy on the Nitrogen, a food higher in Potassium and is much better. This is what I utilize in my own garden, and I also supplement with a bit of organic water soluble food on occasion (typically something kelp or seaweed based).
As far as some specific cultivars of Hardy Fuchsias that I would recommend looking for, here are a few excellent ones. I would encourage you to look these up and see which one(s) catch your fancy…
‘Giant Cardinal’: Huge cherry-red sepals, purple corollas, up to 8 feet tall, zone 7.
‘Little Giant’: Dainty bright-red sepals, magenta corollas, up to 3 feet tall, zone 6.
‘Constance’: Soft pink sepals, purplish corollas, up to 3 feet tall, zone 7.
‘City of Portland’: Reddish-pink sepals, pinky-violet corollas, up to 3 feet tall, zone 7.
‘Hawkshead’: Pure white sepals, white with green corollas, up to 4 feet tall, zone 7.
‘Golden Gate’: Cerise pink sepals, purplish corollas, up to 3 feet tall, gold foliage, zone 7.
‘Pat’s Dream’: Bright pink sepals, light purple corollas, up to 4 feet tall, zone 7.
‘Flash’: Bright red sepals, magenta corollas, up to 4 feet tall, zone 7.
‘Riccartonii’: Smaller bright red sepals, purple corollas, up to 7 feet tall, zone 6.
Most local garden centers should have these, as well as many other good varieties, in stock as they are popping with color right now. Speak with your local Certified Professional Horticulturist about Hardy Fuchsias and allow them to help you achieve harmony with your plants. These perennial garden beauties are sure to bring you summer color and your hummingbirds a welcome snack of sweet nectar. Explore your options, choose wisely, cultivate them properly and you will have your very own healthy Hardy Fuchsias to enjoy in the garden this summer, and for years to come.
