Overwintering fuchsias & hardy fuchsia varieties

Most fuchsias will not tolerate severe cold. You can learn how to support your fuchsias and successfully overwinter them here.

The genus Fuchsia includes over 100 different species in many different colours and shapes. Evening primrose (Onagraceae) is originally from South and Central America, where it was brought to Europe in the 18th century. In their natural environment, fuchsias are found in higher mountainous regions and on the edge of rainforests. In our country, the beautiful ornamental plant is popular for growing in pots, as well as garden beds, due to the splendour of its flowers. However, many fuchsias do not tolerate extreme cold. Therefore, you need to take various protective measures before the winter.

Overwintering fuchsias

Many amateur gardeners cultivate their fuchsias annually and buy new plants in the spring. However, perennial fuchsias do not have to be thrown away in autumn, because most varieties can be overwintered with little effort. We explain what to look for when overwintering your fuchsias and present a selection of hardy varieties.

Preparing fuchsias for winter

Before your (hardy) fuchsia is allowed to go into a well-deserved rest, a few precautions must be taken to ensure that the plant survives the winter and comes back to life in the spring. After flowering in autumn, fuchsias hardly need any nutrients, so should not be fertilised from September onwards. In order to maintain a lush bloom, it should also be pruned annually, because the annual shoots will no longer form flowers anyway.

If the fuchsias are placed in a bright place above 10 ° C (greenhouse, bright cellar) over the winter, they should only undergo pruning 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 about one-third of the annual growth. One to two buds per shoot should be left. For dark overwintering, also remove the leaves (exception: small-leaved fuchsias) and withered flowers. Dead and unwanted shoots are also completely removed.

Pruning facilitates overwintering and, for example, reduces susceptibility to fungal diseases by improving air circulation in the plant. After that, nothing stands in the way of a move to protected winter quarters. Detailed instructions for pruning fuchsias can be found here.

When does it get too cold for fuchsias?

In principle, fuchsias love rather cool temperatures between 16 and 24 °C. However, most varieties cannot tolerate temperatures below zero. Therefore, you should take protective measures before the first frost. Also be sure to put potted fuchsias outside no earlier than April. However, due to the risk of night frosts, be sure to choose a sheltered location. If you want to be on the safe side, do not put fuchsias outside until mid-May, and outdoor plantings should not be done until mid-May, after the last frost, due to the lack of winter hardiness.

Successfully overwintering fuchsias: what to look for

Once you have made the preparations listed and pruned your fuchsias, nothing stands in the way of overwintering. Here, there is both the possibility of leaving the fuchsias in open ground or moving them to winter quarters as potted plants. Below we have summarised the most important points for you once again.

Overwintering fuchsias in flowerbeds

Many hardy varieties of fuchsia with upright growth are excellent for cultivation as a garden shrub in the bed. Before the first frost, you should cut back the bush by a third and mound with soil. Then cover the plant with a layer of straw, brushwood or leaves. In addition, a cover of garden raffia can help insulate against the winter cold. In early spring, you can then uncover the fuchsias again and remove dead shoots if necessary.

Overwintering fuchsia in a pot

Non-hardy varieties are best cultivated in pots so that they can be moved to a frost-free location in winter. For overwintering a bright, cool room is particularly suitable. Optimal temperatures are between 8 and 10 °C. Water your fuchsia during winter dormancy only enough so that the root ball does not dry out. You do not need to fertilise at all during winter. If there is only the possibility of dark hibernation at a cool temperature (between 2 and 10 °C), pruning and the removal of the leaves should take place in autumn. Regular airing also reduces the risk of fungal disease.

In the spring (March), fuchsias can slowly be reaccustomed to warmth and light. During this period, it tolerates temperatures around 20 °C, and the substrate should be kept moderately moist. If necessary, the plant should also be repotted so that it gets enough space and sufficient nutrients. If no more frosts are expected, you can put the fuchsia back outside on the terrace or balcony from April onward.

Hardy fuchsia varieties

There are now many different varieties of fuchsia that have been bred for cold tolerance, making them suitable for overwintering outdoors. For example, standing fuchsias are wonderful as a solitary plant for cultivation in planters. Hanging varieties, in turn, look best in window boxes and hanging baskets.

Below we have compiled a small selection of the most popular hardy fuchsia varieties:

• ‘Delicate Purple’: single flowers; dark pink sepals with petals of purple colour; semi-hanging habit (to 40 cm); particularly well suited for planting in window boxes or hanging baskets.
• ‘Dollar Princess’: medium sized, double flowers; red sepals with purple petals; upright growth (to 70 cm); can be grown very well as a bush or a tall stem.
• ‘Cardinal Farges’: single to double flowers; red sepals with white petals; upright habit (to 60 cm); prefers semi-shaded sites.
• ‘Tom West’: small, single flowers; variegated foliage; red sepals and purple petals; drooping habit (to 30 cm).
• ‘Ballerina’: medium-sized flowers; red sepals with white petals; upright growth (to 45 cm).
• ‘Alice Hoffmann’: red-white flowers; upright habit; reaches a height of 30 to 60 cm.
• ‘Caledonia’: bright red flowers; grows upright, reaching heights of up to 60 cm.

Even some hardy wild species – such as the Magellanic fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica) or the hardy Fuchsia regia ssp. reitzii – are suitable for planting in open ground.

In order for your fuchsias to thrive and produce many flowers, you should pay attention to other aspects in addition to the measures listed for proper overwintering. To do this, you can find more information on the correct care for your fuchsias.