Fuchsia is a genus of flowering plants that belongs to the family Onagraceae. These plants are native to Central and South America. Fuchsia is known for its striking pendulous, tubular flowers. These plants come in a variety of sizes and shapes; some species are small and shrubby, while others can grow into trees that are over 30 feet tall.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of fuchsia plants are typically oval or lance-shaped and are arranged in an opposite pattern along the stem. Their most distinctive feature is their flowers, which hang down from the stem and have a tubular shape with four petals and four sepals. The sepals are often brightly colored and resemble petals, giving the flowers a double-layered appearance. The flowers bloom profusely throughout the summer, attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Caring For Fuchsia
Fuchsia plants thrive in well-drained soil, so over-watering is deadly. Splashing these plants when containers are beginning to dry is better than a full watering. They prefer partial shade or filtered sunlight, as direct sunlight can scorch their delicate leaves. Regular light watering is crucial for fuchsias, as they don’t like to dry out but they do not want to be overly saturated.
Fuchsia benefit from regular feeding to support their blooming and growth. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every two to four weeks during the growing season. Be cautious to avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive foliage growth with fewer flowers. Pruning is essential to fuchsia care to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. Prune regularly to remove dead or damaged branches and shape the plant as desired.
It’s important to deadhead spent blooms regularly to promote continuous flowering. Pinch or cut off the faded flowers just above a leaf node to encourage new buds to form. This process diverts the plant’s energy into producing more blooms rather than setting seeds. Additionally, monitor for pests such as aphids and spider mites, and take appropriate action if infestations occur.
Fuchsia Popular Varieties
There are a number of different fuchsia hybrids that are commonly found at Martin Garden Center. The most popular species of Fuchsia tend to be trailing varieties with large, double flowers that come in various colors, including pink, red, and purple. It is commonly grown in containers or hanging baskets and used for its long blooming period.
Some of the varieties we carry at Martin Garden Center include Dark Eyes, Swingtime, Dollar Princess, Lena, and Marinka. Many of the latter are grown in 10″ Hanging Baskets. We do, at times, have various fuchsia varieties available in the Spring in 4″containers. We also carry Gartenmeister Fuchsia in 4″ containers when it is available through our vendors.