Complete Hardy Fuchsia Collection

• Apply a deep bark mulch around the base of hardy fuchsias in autumn to protect the roots from winter cold.
• Deadhead faded fuchsia flowers to encourage more blooms to be produced.

Planting Advice for fuchsias:

• Unpack plugs immediately and stand them in water for an hour.
• If you can’t do this, they can sit in their mini greenhouse for a week if upright and not too wet.
• Plugs may be slightly dry or yellow after being in a dark box in the post, but they’ll quickly recover.
• Put them somewhere warm, light and airy such as a windowsill or greenhouse.
• When potting on, handle plugs carefully. Pot on using our 9cm pots in Shuttle Trays, using good multi-purpose compost.
• Give your plants a good water initially, then only when the top compost starts to dry. They don’t like to be left in standing water.
• When established, plant approx. 20cm (8in) apart to allow them room to grow - remember to protect tender plants from late frosts.
• Feed using a high-potash feed such as Blooming Fast Superior Soluble Fertiliser for Flowers & Fruits, to encourage flowering.
• Dead head when flowers fade to encourage more flowers.
• Remember that plants are frost tender and should be protected from frost at all times.

Aftercare Advice for fuchsias:

• When all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimatise your plant to outdoor conditions over a 7 to 10-day period, before planting into its final positions in patio containers and sunny or semi shaded borders.
• Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, with shelter from the wind. In containers, use a John Innes No 3 based compost.
• When planting in the ground, plant the base of the stem 5cm below the soil surface and provide a deep winter mulch and shelter from the wind.
• Water fuchsia plants sufficiently to keep the compost moist but not waterlogged and do not leave plants standing in water.
• Fuchsias prefer shade for the hottest part of the day.
• A balanced, liquid fertiliser used in summer encourages better blooms over a long flowering period

Pruning Advice for hardy fuchsias:

• When in active growth, you can pinch out tips to increase the potential number of blooms, although this will delay actual flowering - flowers usually open six to eight weeks after you finish stopping.
• Prune stems back to a low permanent framework in spring.