More information about plants in Plant of the Week

Fuchsias Can be Fussy!

Snowburner

When deciding where to put fuchsias in the open garden, careful
attention to their preferred conditions will give maximum success and pleasure. 
RED/RED & WHITE flowered fuchsias are in the main less demanding in their requirements and will do well in either sun or shade.    Of course there ARE exceptions to every rule and TEXAS LONGHORN is one!   RED fuchsias are often vigorous in growth habit and require more water than most of the others.

ORANGE flowered fuchsias benefit from good light, and, provided they have good air movement and moisture at all times during hot weather, can stand full sun.  A little shade for the hottest parts of the day will ensure that the leaves on some varieties do not suffer from sunburn, but, so long as they do not lack for moisture, no real harm will be done and abundant flowers will result.  Orange fuchsias require more care with watering.  Major Heaphy, Orange Crush and Lye's Unique can look spectacular in a sunny position.

WHITES   on the other hand, prefer varying degrees of shade depending on the variety, more care with watering and definitely good drainage is essential.  White fuchsias are the most demanding to grow.  Although prone to bruising and botrytis if over-watered,  a well-grown white looks glorious in a shady spot!  White King, Happy Wedding Day -both doubles  and Sleigh Bells - a single are three cultivars which fit the bill nicely!

BLUE OR MAUVE fuchsias also need varying degrees of shade to develop their best colour.  Care with watering and watchful for red-spider mite and white-fly, is also a good idea.  Capricorn does well with its head in the sun & its feet in the shade!

PINK/PINK and WHITE fuchsias do best with some shade.  Fairly easy to grow with a wide range to choose from in either singles or doubles.  Try Cotton Candy, Beacon Rosa and Nancy Lou.

In an open garden situation, single fuchsias out perform the doubles hands-down!  Superb singles in every shape and colour are readily available.
Wind can cause much bruising on delicate sepals and petals of double fuchsias, and the sheer weight of prolonged rain on the flowers can bend or even break the branches (unless support and protection from the elements is given) thus destroying many months of growth in a single blow!

The good news is, they are very forgiving and will bounce back in about 10 weeks!