Fuchsia

All information on this website is copyright Flowers.gs

Common Name

Fuchsia

Scientific Name

Fuchsia

Plant Category

Perennial

Location

Europe, South and Central America

Height

9-24 inches

Width

2-4 inches

Blooming Season

Spring

Plant Habit

Low-growing and upright

Color

White, dark purple, bright pink, orange, yellow, bicolors

Sun

Partial shade

Soil

Medium moist soil

Water

Full moisture

Plant Characteristics

Pollinated by hummingbirds. Edible flowers and fruits

Usage

Usually grown as garden plants or in hanging baskets.

Information

The genus Fuchsia includes about 100 species. Fuchsia flowers have four long and slender sepals surrounding four shorter petals and long stamens. Most fuchsia flowers feature a combination of two or more colors. Fuchsia is often grown for its decorative flowers, which hang down from the branches and are said to resemble elegant earrings. Most fuchsia plants are mostly low growing shrubs ranging from 0.2 to 4 meters (about 0.6 to 13 feet) in height. The leaves of the fuchsia plant may be evergreen or deciduous, depending on the particular species. Fuchsia berries are quite small, only 5 to 25 mm, and contain many seeds. They may be red, red-green, or dark purple, and they have a peppery, grape-like flavor.

Growing Tips

Fuchsia plants prefer daytime temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit(15 to 20 degrees Celsius)and night time temperatures about ten degrees (5 degrees Celsius) cooler. The plants should be watered whenever the soil is dry during the growing season in spring and summer, and gradually less often throughout the fall and winter. Fuchsias can tolerate shade but they need to avoid hot sun. Fuchsias are heavy-feeders, benefiting from feeding with a soluble, complete fertilizer every two to four weeks during the growing season. Cease fertilizer applications in the fall at least two weeks before bringing the plants indoors. In pots, put in good quality potting mix. In the gardens, give them a couple of dressing of Nitrophoska Blue during the growing season.

Common Problems

They can get aphids, whitefly and rust, but these are not usually a problem. In spring, they are most susceptible to aphids, but an all-purpose spray will fix that. Whitefly can be a problem later in the season, in those growing in shade or greenhouses. A spray will fix it.