© RHS/Joanna Kossak

Introducing...

Hardy fuchsias

Unlike their tender cousins, hardy fuchsia can survive outside in most UK gardens without the need for cossetting over winter indoors. These fuchsias tend to have an upright habit with the stems arching towards the tips, under the weight of the flowers. Compact forms can be used in containers and at the front of borders. Taller varieties make attractive flowering hedges.

Looks

The flowers dangle in pairs, like mini ballerinas with tutus, along the stems towards the tips. Colours include pale pinkish-white, and all shades of pink, red and violet-purple. Some have golden, variegated or slightly darker green leaves, adding to the contrast with the flowers.

Likes

Fuchsias grow happily in any garden with moist-but-well-drained soil, sun or light shade, and shelter from cold winds.

Dislikes

They will not do well in excessively dry or wet soils, resent exposed sites with drying cold wind and will not flower in deep shade.

Did you know?

During a hard winter the growth will often die back, but new growth will appear from below the ground in spring. Prune back the dead to allow the new shoots through in mid to late April.

Growing guide

Browse hardy fuchsias

Hardy fuchsias for hedges

Useful advice

Hedges: selection

Hedges: selection

Shade planting: shrubs

Shade planting: shrubs

Shrubs: smaller for year round interest

Shrubs: smaller for year round interest

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.