Tip #6: Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)
Fuchsias add elegance and tropical flare to shaded patios, covered porches, and woodland garden margins. Whether you select trailing varieties for hanging baskets or upright hardy shrubs like Fuchsia magellanica, these exotic bloomers feature pendulous, teardrop-shaped flowers with reflexed outer sepals and contrasting inner petals. Common color combinations include crimson and violet, deep magenta and blush pink, and pure coral-red.
The hanging, downward-facing orientation of fuchsia blossoms makes them difficult for heavy bumblebees to access, but hummingbirds navigate them with effortless aerial acrobatics. Hovering upside down beneath the nodding blooms, hummingbirds insert their bills straight up into the floral chamber to drink the sugar-rich nectar. Placing fuchsia containers around outdoor seating areas gives you an intimate, front-row view of these aerial displays throughout the summer.
Position fuchsias in cool partial shade or areas with gentle morning sun and protection from harsh afternoon rays. Fuchsias perform poorly in stagnant, suffocating heat; they prefer mild temperatures and consistent moisture. Use a lightweight, porous potting mix rich in peat moss and perlite for container specimens, ensuring excess water drains away freely. Feed container-grown fuchsias every two weeks with a diluted, balanced organic liquid fertilizer to sustain vigorous bud formation, and pinch off fading seed pods regularly to redirect the plant’s energy toward new blooms.
