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Name: fuchsia, Fuchsia species.
Height: from 30cm to 2m, depending on variety.
Foliage: lush blue-green to silvery green.
Climate: cold and warm temperate, protect from frost.
Soil: rich, free-draining soil.
Position: morning sun or shade with protection from wind and frost.
Flowering: summer, autumn and spring. Pendulous flowers, often with contrasting coloured petals in shades of white, pink, red, purple or two-tone.
Feeding: regular feeding with a balanced controlled slow-release fertiliser, or pellets such as Dynamic Lifter.
Watering: regular watering in summer; keep moist during winter.
With 110 different species of fuchsia, there are many different forms, from plants that cascade over the side of a hanging basket or pot, to small shrubs and even hedges. They’re grown for their unusual hanging flowers, which have been described as looking like colourful ballerina skirts.
Fuchsia loves a shady spot in the garden, or in a hanging basket or pot. Varieties with large hanging flowers work exceptionally well in hanging baskets, so the flowers are easily seen.
Follow these tips when planting your fuchsia:
During hot weather, your fuchsia will love a drink every second day. Just make sure the water drains away and doesn’t stay in the pot or the soil around the roots in the garden—most fuchsias die from overwatering. Your fuchsia will also love humidity, so when it’s really, hot spray it with a mist of water once a day. Feed it with blood and bone or a good pellet fertiliser such as Dynamic Lifter. While the plants are in flower, give them a half-strength dose of liquid fertiliser specially formulated for flower growth. There’s a great range of fertilisers in store.
Regular pruning will promote new growth so you’ll get more flowers next season. Hard pruning in winter or in really cold areas in spring will result in a bushy plant with plenty of flowers.
Watch out for thrips, aphids and mites; treat with eco-oil or a similar product. Vine moth caterpillars particularly like fuchsias—treat these with Dipel. Powdery mildew can be a problem, treat with a fungicide.
Fuchsia is easy to propagate from cuttings in spring. Cut a growing shoot about 6cm long, remove any bottom leaves, dip in rooting hormone and pop into a pot or planting tray filled with propagating mix. Place in a warm spot, maybe on a windowsill, and in 3–4 weeks they should have roots. When your cuttings have started growing you can repot them. Some fuchsia cuttings will grow roots in a jar of water on a window ledge. Either way, you will easily get a good supply of new plants.
Gardenia: gorgeous evergreen shrub with delightfully perfumed creamy white flowers.
Zygocactus: great heat- and drought-tolerant patio plant with spectacular coloured flowers.
Impatiens: bright-flowered, colourful annual for shady gardens or pots.
Azalea: striking flowering shrub in a range of colours and sizes for a semi shaded spot.
Check out our huge range of plants now and get your garden growing!
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
