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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: 45cm, 18"

• Clipped height: 1.2-2.5m, 4ft

• Number of times to clip per season and when: 1, immediately after flowering

• 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.

• : Responds to renovation?: Yes

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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Questions about Fuchsias - Hardy

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. 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.
Lady Boothby is a very hardy plant so can be left outdoors all year round. It is the world's only climbing Fuchsia and can grow as high as 5m.

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