Fuchsia splendens

RHS Plant Profile
Mexican tree fuchsia

Synonyms

Fuchsia cordifolia Benth.
Fuchsia cordifolia misapplied

Award of Garden Merit
Shrubs Conservatory Greenhouse

A deciduous upright shrub, rare in cultivation, and semi-evergreen in mild locations. It is about 1m tall, with bright green leaves, and long pendent single flowers with a conspicuous pink tube, and coral-red sepals with green tips and a green corolla; sausage shaped purple fruits follow. Can flower all year round in warm conditions

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Well–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral or Alkaline or Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Onagraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous, Semi evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Although Fuchsia berries are edible, most are not particularly tasty and are sparsely produced on plants. Fuchsia plants are generally grown as an ornamental and not for fruit crops within the UK
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
Plant Range
Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a cool or frost-free greenhouse in containers of peat-free multi-purpose compost in bright indirect light and keep just moist. Can be grown outside for the summer in sun or part shade, water freely and use a general liquid fertiliser monthly from spring to summer. See tender fuchsia cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in any season

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pruning Group 6

Diseases

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