Plants
Fuchsia
Fuchsia hybrida · Onagraceae (Nachtkerzengewächse)
Fuchsia is one of the most rewarding summer plants for balcony and garden: for months its dancing, often two-toned bell flowers hang from the shoots like little ballerinas. It blooms reliably even where many others give up, namely in partial shade. In Duesseldorf-Pempelfort we have long recommended it for shaded north-facing balconies where geraniums get too little sun.
- Light
- Partial shade to bright light; avoid harsh midday sun and deep full shade.
- Watering
- Keep evenly moist, water generously in summer and avoid waterlogging.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Fuchsia hybrida
Broadly, one distinguishes upright fuchsias for pots and beds from trailing varieties for hanging baskets and window boxes. There are also hardy species such as Fuchsia magellanica, which overwinter outdoors as a woody shrub, and the more delicate, frost-sensitive hybrids kept as seasonal plants or in a cool winter quarter.
In floristry and seasonal planting the fuchsia shines above all as a lively pot and basket plant. It is hardly suited as a cut flower; its place is the planted bowl, the balcony arrangement and shaded grave planting. In mixed containers it sets fresh floral accents week after week.
Quality shows in vigorous, dense green foliage, plenty of buds and firm, non-leggy shoots. We source our plants directly through the auction at Veiling Rhein-Maas and look for well-rooted, bud-rich specimens that keep blooming straight after planting rather than struggling to establish.
Stylistically the fuchsia suits romantic, slightly nostalgic arrangements. We like to pair trailing varieties with busy Lizzie, begonias and silvery foliage for shaded spots, while upright fuchsias look especially refined as a solitaire in a terracotta pot.
Care
- 01Partial shade is ideal: avoid harsh midday sun, but deep full shade yields too few blooms.
- 02Keep evenly moist, often watering daily in summer, yet strictly avoid waterlogging.
- 03Use low-lime, lukewarm water and mist the foliage on hot days.
- 04Feed weekly with flowering-plant fertiliser from May to August for continuous bloom.
- 05Pinch off spent flowers and seed pods regularly to encourage fresh buds.
- 06Overwinter non-hardy varieties frost-free at around 5 to 10 degrees in a bright spot and water sparingly.
Frequently asked
- Is fuchsia toxic to cats, dogs or children?
- No. Fuchsias are considered non-toxic; all parts are harmless to cats, dogs and children. The small berries are even edible, though rather bland.
- Why has my fuchsia stopped blooming?
- Usually too much sun and dryness or a lack of nutrients are to blame. Move the plant into partial shade, water evenly, feed weekly and remove spent blooms, and flowering soon returns.
- Are fuchsias hardy?
- It depends on the variety. Hardy species such as Fuchsia magellanica survive mild outdoor sites with winter protection, but most hybrids are frost-sensitive and must overwinter in a bright, frost-free place.
- When are fuchsias in season?
- As a plant for balcony and garden, fuchsias are available with us mainly from late spring into autumn. The main flowering period runs from May to October.