Did you know that hardy fuchsias fare well in the climate of the Pacific Northwest? The following is part of our ongoing series of articles about hardy fuchsias by PowellsWood gardener and consultant Jackie LaVerne. Click here for the full Fuchsias 101 Archive!
FUCHSIAS 101: Fertilizing and Pruning
by Jackie LaVerne, Owner of Magellanica Gardens Nursery
While hardy fuchsias are relatively easy to care for, a little extra attention can help them become even more beautiful and healthy plants.
Hardy fuchsias can be fertilized with well-composted material, spread around the base of the plant in the spring and in the fall. You can also use a slow-release fertilizer, but it is not necessary. If you do use a fertilizer, use a well-balanced fertilizer like a 20-20-20.
Hardy fuchsias require little pruning. Once you see 2 to 4 inches of new growth in the spring, you can cut the old growth back as far as you like, but leave 2 to 4 inches of new growth from the ground. If the plants grow too large for the space they are in, cut them back as far as you like, leaving at least 2 to 4 inches of growth from the ground; this will encourage compact growth and increase the number of blooms on the plant.
This entry was posted on 09/02/2011 in How to Care for Fuchsias, Northwest Gardening Blog by PowellsWood
I’m a little confused by the 2nd sentence in the 3rd paragraph: “Once you see 2 to 4 inches of new growth in the spring, you can cut the old growth back as far as you like, but leave 2 to 4 inches of new growth from the ground.” I’m suspecting that it means that when cutting back the old growth, leave 2 to 4 inches of the old growth above the ground. Right?
We have a very large hardy fuchsia that was here when we moved in 2 months ago. No idea when it was last pruned. Can I prune it back now (June) to fit the space and what should I do after. Fert, mulch, deep water?
The links appear not correct. I found the collection of fuchia articles at:
https://powellswood.org/category/fuchsias-101/
Perhaps your question will be answered in one of those articles.