Hardy Fuchsia
Fuchsia magellanica
A deciduous shrub featuring slender, arching branches, small opposite leaves, and distinctive pendant flowers with vibrant reddish-pink sepals and contrasting purple petals.
- Light
- Partial shade to indirect light, roughly 3 to 6 hours of filtered sunlight per day, protected from intense afternoon heat.
- Water
- Water deeply and regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Tolerates less drought than many shrubs and requires more frequent watering during hot summer periods.
- Growth
- Perennial deciduous shrub with an upright, arching, or trailing growth habit, reaching mature heights of 3 to 10 feet with a similar spread, growing at a moderate pace.
Care instructions
Grow in partial shade with consistent moisture in rich, well-draining soil. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season to encourage continuous flowering.
Growing details
Sunlight
Partial shade to indirect light, roughly 3 to 6 hours of filtered sunlight per day, protected from intense afternoon heat.
Watering
Water deeply and regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Tolerates less drought than many shrubs and requires more frequent watering during hot summer periods.
Soil
Rich, humus-heavy, well-draining loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 9, depending on winter protection.
Growth habit
Perennial deciduous shrub with an upright, arching, or trailing growth habit, reaching mature heights of 3 to 10 feet with a similar spread, growing at a moderate pace.
Bloom season
Blooms from early summer through the first autumn frosts, producing pendulous tubular flowers with bright pinkish-red sepals and dark purple corollas.
Propagation
Propagated easily from softwood or semi-hardwood stem cuttings taken in spring or summer, rooting well in a moist propagation medium.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites, especially in warm, dry conditions. Root rot can occur if drainage is poor.
Similar species
Other Fuchsia species and cultivars, distinguishable by flower color combinations, sepal shape, and overall hardiness in cold climates.