Fuchsias - Hardy - half hardy
(Not - fushia, fuscia, fucsia, fuschia, fewsha, fusha, fuchia, or fushcia!)

Fuchsias are quite rightly one of the most popular of all summer flowers. There are two main groups, half hardy and fully hardy plants.

Hardy Fuchsias can be used as hedging or in the shrub border, their flowers are similar in shape to the half-hardy varieties, though usually smaller.

Fuchsias can be grown in sun or semi-shade. They need moisture, the leaves are quite thin and soft and can be burnt by too much direct sunshine.

Height and spread: up to 3m x 3m (10ft x 10ft) but very variable by variety and typically plants are half this size when mature.

• Position: sun  / semi shade

• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil

• Rate of growth: average

• Flowering period: May to October

• Flower colour: two shades of white, red, pink and purple. The outer layer is usually recurved sepal with the true petals forming a central corolla, long stamens and anthers frequently protrude.

• Hardiness: frost hardy, not suitable for very exposed positions

• Garden care: Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. In mid- or late spring lightly cut back any shoots that spoil the symmetry of the plant. After pruning apply a generous 5-7 cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant

Uses - Specimen / Hedging / mixed border

Planting distance when used for hedging	Clipped height	Number of times to clip per season and when	Responds to renovation?
45cm, 18"	1.2-2.5m, 4ft	1, immediately after flowering	Yes

Pruning: Usually requires minimal pruning if not grown as a hedge, cut back after flowering or by autumn at the latest. Responds to renovation cut whole plant or 1 shoot in 3 back to 30cm, 12" of ground in spring.

Buy Fuchsias Fuchsia Extra Large Bloom Pack A 10 plants 2 each of 5 varieties £13.98 Fuchsia Lady Boothby - world's only climbing Fuchsia 3 plants for £6.49, 12 for £12.98 Fuchsia Hardy Collection A (Army Nurse, Delta's Sarah & Shrimp Cocktail) 12 plants 4 of each for £11.98 Fuchsia Border Collection F (Alice Hoffman, Beacon Rosa & Beacon) Fuchsia Border Collection G (Genii, Hawkshead & Dollar Princess) Fuchsia Hardy - Half Price Collection (Alice Hoffman, Mrs Popple & Dollar Princess) Fuchsia Hardy - Half Price Collection 1 (Delta's Sarah, Shrimp Cocktail & Dollar Princess) Fuchsia Hardy - Half Price Collection 2 (Delta's Sarah, Shrimp Cocktail & Garden News) Fuchsia Hardy Collection (Hawkshead, Dollar Princess & Display) Fuchsia Hardy Collection A (Army Nurse, Delta's Sarah & Shrimp Cocktail) Fuchsia Hardy Collection B (Hawkshead)

Just how do you spell this name!?

This genus of plants is named after the botanist Leonhart Fuchs, so adding "ia" for Fuchsia makes it more Latin-like. Other similar examples are Joseph Banks and Banksia and Louis Antoine de Bougainville and Bougainvillea.

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Q.  I have just bought the new climbing fuchsia Lady Boothby and would be pleased if you could tell me if and when I need to cut it back. Many thanks.

A.  I'd cut stems back by about a third in the autumn after flowering has ended, you can renovate it in the spring after a few years when it has established well by cutting some stems (1 in 3) back to 6-12" above ground level.