How to Grow Fuchsias from Seed - Start to Finish

There are shrubs that will flower all summer long.For a small amount of effort, you will be rewarded with a beautiful show of flowers.

Plants grow well in sun or partial shade and can be planted in borders, beds, window boxes, hanging baskets and containers.They bring colour to almost any position that you can shake a trowel at.You can pick between evergreen or deciduous varieties.

Many people don't know that the small purple fuchsia fruits can be eaten.One of the best flavours of Fuchsia splendens is that it has a peppery aftertaste that works well in jams.These plants are beautiful and should be considered for your garden.

A great addition to large or small gardens, fuchsias can grow in beds, borders or baskets.The main types are listed here.

There are so many different types of fuchsia that it can be hard to choose, so take a look at our video to see some of the best plants on our trials ground.

The plants should be grown in warm, frost-free conditions and potted up with a good quality compost.Trailing fuchsia plug plants can be planted directly into baskets, window boxes and containers.In warm, frost-free conditions, these should be grown.

To encourage more flowers, pinch out the growing tips of each plant.We have a helpful video on how to pinch out the stems.

When the risk of frost has passed, acclimatise fuchsia plants to outdoor conditions over a 7 to 10 day period before planting them out.

The base of the stem should be 2 inches below the ground.This will help to protect the crown of the plant.

Fuchsias can grow in sun or partial shade in any fertile, moist, well-drained soil.They appreciate some shade during the hottest part of the day and some shelter from the cold winds.

Hanging baskets need to be watered at least once a day during the hot summer months.The self-sufficient plants that are planted directly into borders should be kept moist.

Although many fuchsia plants are naturally floriferous, feeding them every few weeks throughout the summer with a soluble fertiliser is well worth the few minutes of effort.An endless supply of flowers will be encouraged by regular feeding.The flowering period can be prolonged by deadheading the plants frequently.

It can take up to 18 months to train your plant correctly.To achieve a specimen plant which has a clear main stem topped with a dense head of foliage, you need to practice pinching.Here is how.

Wintertime can be tough for many plants, but hardy fuchsia plants are usually happy in sheltered borders all year round.It is best to plant hardy fuchsias deep in the ground to protect the crown during cold winter weather.If you apply a deep mulch of bark chips, leaf mould or straw in late autumn you can give them added protection.

Half-hardy fuchsias can be grown as annuals in many UK gardens, but they can easily be overwintered in a dry, frost-free greenhouse during the cold months.Half-hardy fuchsias are popular for hanging baskets and patio pots.

To protect their stem from frost damage, standard fuchsias need to be moved to a frost-free position during the winter.Regardless of how hardy the variety is, you should do this.

Plants that grow well in sun or shade can be planted in borders, beds, window boxes, hanging baskets and containers.