Winter fuchsias & hardy fuchsia varieties

Most fuchsias do not tolerate great cold. You can find out here how you can support your fuchsia in winter and overwinter successfully.

The genus of Fuchsias (Fuchsia) includes over 100 different types in many different colors and shapes. The evening primrose plant (Onagraceae) originally comes from South and Central America. It was brought to Europe in the 19th century. In their natural environment, fuchsias are found in higher mountain regions and on the edge of rainforests. With us, the beautiful ornamental plant is often grown in pots due to its bloom, but also in the garden bed. However, many fuchsias cannot tolerate extreme cold. Therefore, various protective measures must be taken before winter.

Overwinter fuchsias

Many hobby gardeners only cultivate their fuchsias as an annual and buy a new plant in spring. The perennial fuchsias do not have to be thrown away in autumn, however, because most varieties can be overwintered with little effort. We will explain to you what to look out for when wintering your fuchsia and then introduce you to a selection of winter-hardy varieties.

Prepare fuchsias for winter

Before your (hardy) fuchsia can take a well-deserved break, you need to take some precautions be taken so that the plant survives the winter well and comes back to life in the spring awakens After flowering in autumn, the fuchsias hardly need any nutrients, which is why they should no longer be fertilized from September onwards. In order to maintain a lush bloom, an annual pruning should also be carried out, because the annual shoots no longer develop any flowers.

If the fuchsias are placed in a light place with over 10 ° C (greenhouse, light cellar) over the winter, they will only get their topiary in the following spring. However, if overwintering takes place in a cool, dark place, pruning should be done in autumn before the first frost. To do this, cut back around a third of the annual growth. One to two eyes per shoot should be left standing. When wintering in the dark, remove the leaves (exception: small-leaved fuchsias) and the withered flowers. Dead and unwanted shoots are also completely removed.

The pruning makes wintering easier and, for example, reduces the susceptibility to fungal diseases through the improved lift circulation in the plant. Then nothing stands in the way of moving to the protected winter quarters. A detailed guide to the Cutting the fuchsia You will find here.

When does the fuchsia get too cold?

In general, fuchsias prefer cool temperatures between 16 and 24 ° C. However, most varieties cannot tolerate temperatures below zero. Therefore, protective measures should be taken before the first frost. Make sure to put fuchsias in pots outside in April at the earliest. However, due to the risk of night frosts, be sure to choose a sheltered pitch. If you want to be on the safe side, don't put fuchsias outside until mid-May anyway Due to the lack of winter hardiness, outdoor planting should not be done until mid-May after the ice saints be made.

Successfully overwintering fuchsias: what to watch out for

If you have made the above preparations and cut back the fuchsia, nothing stands in the way of wintering. There is both the option of leaving the fuchsias outdoors and moving them to winter quarters as potted plants. We have summarized the most important information for you below.

Hibernate fuchsias in the bed

Many hardy fuchsia varieties with an upright habit are ideal for cultivation as a garden shrub in the bed. Before the first frosts, you should cut back the shrub by a third and pile it with soil. Then cover the plant with a layer of straw, sticks or leaves. In addition, a cover made of garden tile can help insulate against the winter cold. In early spring you can then cover the fuchsias again and remove dead shoots if necessary.

Hibernate fuchsias indoors in a pot

Non-winter-hardy varieties should best be cultivated in pots so that they can be relocated to a frost-free place in winter. A bright, cool room is particularly suitable for wintering. A temperature between 8 and 10 ° C is ideal for this. When it is hibernating, water your fuchsia only enough so that the root ball does not dry out. You can also do without fertilizer during this time. If there is only the possibility of wintering in the dark at a cool temperature (between 2 and 10 ° C), pruning and removal of the leaves should already take place in autumn. Regular ventilation also reduces the risk of fungal infections.

In spring (March) the fuchsia can slowly get used to warmth and light again. During this time it can withstand temperatures of around 20 ° C and the substrate should be kept moderately moist. If necessary, the plant should also be repotted so that it has enough space and sufficient nutrients again. When no more frosts are expected, you can put the fuchsia outside on the terrace or balcony again from April.

Hardy fuchsia varieties

There are now many different types of fuchsia that have been bred to tolerate the cold and are therefore suitable for wintering outdoors. Standing fuchsias, for example, are wonderfully suitable as solitary plants for cultivation in planters. Hanging varieties, on the other hand, come into their own in window boxes and hanging baskets.

Below we have a small selection of the most popular hardy ones for you Fuchsia varieties compiled:

'Delicate Purple': simple flowers; dark pink sepals with petals of purple color; semi-hanging growth (up to 40 cm); particularly suitable for planting in window boxes or hanging baskets

'Dollar princess': medium-sized, double flowers; red sepals with purple petals; standing growth (up to 70 cm); can be grown very well as a bush or high stem

'Cardinal Farges': simple to double flowers; red sepals with white petals; standing growth (up to 60 cm); prefers partially shaded locations

'Tom West': small, simple flowers; variegated; red sepals and purple petals; hanging growth (up to 30 cm)

,Ballerina': medium-sized flowers; red sepals with white petals; standing growth (up to 45 cm)

'Alice Hoffmann': red-white flowers; standing growth; reaches a height of 30 to 60 cm

'Caledonia': bright red flowers; grows upright and reaches heights of up to 60 cm

Also some hardy wild species - such as the magellanic fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica) or the robust Fuchsia regia ssp. reitzii - are suitable for planting outdoors. An extensive collection hardy fuchsia varieties You will find here.

In order for your fuchsias to thrive and produce many flowers, you should also consider other aspects in addition to the measures listed for correct wintering. You can find further information on the correct one here Caring for your fuchsias.