Before I started to grow fuchsias in my garden, I had several misunderstandings about them:
they grow well only in shade, they are difficult to propagate, hanging baskets' fuchsias are only for one season, hardy fuchsias need to be cut all the way to the ground each winter, etc.
Look at my garden now: fuchsias here grow in sun and in shade, I have baby-plants growing from the cut off branches and divisions, fuchsias in hanging baskets bloom for 2-3 summers, some hardy fuchsias are not getting cut down and doing pretty well.
Fuchsia is one of the easiest plants I've ever had in my garden. I didn't know that till I tried them several years ago. Little seedlings easily turn into decent size plants. Care is minimal. No pests. Slugs don't bother my fuchsias. No serious diseases, except occasional brown spots on some leaves.
I found it easy to get more plants for my garden by division and transplantation.
Occasionally, I take a branch from a plant and poke it into a shady moist spot. Sometimes, it doesn't work, but I do have several plants grown this way.
Hardy Double Otto is my favorite. No problems at all.
Two Double Otto plants used to grow in big belly pots till last year when I moved them to the ground.
They perform excellently and will show their beautiful blooms in November and sometimes even in December.
This plant has some afternoon sun that can be pretty intense.
It sheltered by a retaining wall and the ilex hedge, but still gets a good amount of heat, thereby growing without any problems.
The second Double Otto plant, in the center bottom part of the next picture, has only morning sun
and is not as big as the first one.
The next two fuchsia plants are in the front bed with morning and some early afternoon sun.
On the left is Dollar Princess and on the right is one with lost ID.
These are late August and September pictures, and the blooms are the same - profuse and happy.
Isn't it marvelous? I think the Dollar Princess name refers to the size of its blooms
which are not as big as Double Otto's but are so abundant!
The two fuchsias and the rose Mister Lincoln are the only blooming plants in this bed in September,
but it's enough to make the bed look festive.
This is Fuchsia magellanica 'Aurea' (Golden Fuchsia), a tree fuchsia
with skinnier but not less attractive flowers.
(Hardy to -10*F)
I used to cut the plants down every fall, but stopped doing it recently.
As a result, I have bigger plants in summer - taller and bushier.
The next two pictures show the fuchsia that is usually called annual and is sold in hanging baskets.
I leave the baskets outside hanging on a big fir branch or standing in the bushes.
Some of the plants don't come back next season, but I do have some success.
I cut the plants down, start watering them in spring and in summer they thank me with wonderful blooms:
Shown below is the only white fuchsia in my garden.
It is very dear to me since it's a gift.
Faye and Ken of The Secret Garden Boutique, who were vendors in my garden
during the recent garden tour, gave it to me.
They have over 300 fuchsia varieties, and you can find them at the Port Orchard Farmers market
on the Kitsap Peninsula.
Let me show several pictures of their display which I took during the garden tour in June.
The plants are beautiful, and the presentation is creative and charming!
Tasteful, whimsical, playful arrangements!
If you live near the Kitsap Peninsula and are looking for fuchsia plants,
The Secret Garden Boutique is an excellent choice.
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Several tips about growing fuchsia for myself to remember:
- Plant them deep
- Treat them with organic matter
- Fertilize, fertilize, fertilize
- Don't let fuchsia's roots dry out
- Keep soil moist, but not wet
- Mulch in winter
- If I decide to prune my plants, I'll do it in the spring after the danger of frost has passed.
Useful sources:
Planting hardy Fuchsias (video) -
Garden Time TV
Northwest Fuchsia Society
How To Grow Beautiful Fuchsias
The Royal Horticultural Society (UK)
***Copyright 2013 TatyanaS
