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Fuchsia excorticata

tree fuchsia

A species of large, tender, upright, bushy, deciduous shrub or small tree which can reach a height of around 12m in ideal conditions, with dark green foliage and attractive, pale brown peeling ornamental bark when mature which can be argued is its best feature. Yellow and violet-purple flowers with appear from summer through until autumn

Other common names
kōtukutuku
New Zealand fuchsia
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Purple Yellow Green
Autumn Purple Yellow Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Onagraceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Although Fuchsia berries are edible, most are not particularly tasty and are sparsley produced on plants. Fuchsia plants are generally grown as an ornamental and not for fruit crops within the UK Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus

Fuchsia can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or trees, rarely perennials, with opposite or whorled leaves and usually pendent flowers with conspicuous tubular calyx, 4 spreading sepals and 4 erect petals

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a cool or frost-free greenhouse in a container of peat-free multi-purpose compost in bright indirect light and keep just moist. Water freely and use a general liquid fertiliser monthly from spring to summer. Plants of a managable size can be placed outdoors in the summer months. See tender fuchsia cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

Pruning group 6; may need restrictive pruning under glass

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, fuchsia gall mite, fuchsia flea beetle, glasshouse red spider mite and vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to fuchsia rust, grey moulds and honey fungus (rarely)

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.