Hardy fuchsias

RHS Genus Guide

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.

RHS/Joanna Kossak

Appearance

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.

Preferences

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.

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RHS Recommended

Hardy fuchsias

fuchsia 'Wendy's Beauty'

Fuchsia 'Wendy's Beauty' (d)

fuchsia 'Wendy's Beauty'

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.5–1 metres

fuchsia 'Lady Boothby'

Fuchsia 'Lady Boothby'

fuchsia 'Lady Boothby'

Height: 2.5–4 metres
Width: 1–1.5 metres

fuchsia 'Hawkshead'

Fuchsia 'Hawkshead'

fuchsia 'Hawkshead'

Height: 0.5–1 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

fuchsia 'Mrs Popple'

Fuchsia 'Mrs Popple'

fuchsia 'Mrs Popple'

Height: 0.5–1 metres
Width: 0.5–1 metres

fuchsia 'Genii'

Fuchsia 'Genii'

fuchsia 'Genii'

Height: 0.5–1 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

fuchsia 'Garden News'

Fuchsia 'Garden News' (d)

fuchsia 'Garden News'

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

variegated Magellan fuchsia

Fuchsia magellanica var. gracilis 'Variegata' (v)

variegated Magellan fuchsia

Height: 0.5–1 metres
Width: 0.5–1 metres

fuchsia 'Doreen Redfern'

Fuchsia 'Doreen Redfern'

fuchsia 'Doreen Redfern'

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

fuchsia 'Flash'

Fuchsia 'Flash'

fuchsia 'Flash'

Height: 1–1.5 metres
Width: 0.5–1 metres

fuchsia 'Brutus'

Fuchsia 'Brutus'

fuchsia 'Brutus'

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

fuchsia 'Ben Jammin'

Fuchsia 'Ben Jammin'

fuchsia 'Ben Jammin'

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

fuchsia 'Chillerton Beauty'

Fuchsia 'Chillerton Beauty'

fuchsia 'Chillerton Beauty'

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

fuchsia 'Wharfedale'

Fuchsia 'Wharfedale'

fuchsia 'Wharfedale'

Height: 1–1.5 metres
Width: 0.5–1 metres

fuchsia 'Whiteknights Pearl'

Fuchsia 'Whiteknights Pearl'

fuchsia 'Whiteknights Pearl'

Height: 1–1.5 metres
Width: 1–1.5 metres

Award of Garden Merit

Plants for pollinators

See all Hardy fuchsias