Fuchsia 'Tom Thumb'
fuchsia 'Tom Thumb'
A very free-flowering, dwarf deciduous shrub to about 30cm tall, with dark green leaves, and small, single flowers with short red sepals and tube, and mauve-purple petals, flowering from early summer
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Purple Red | Green | Purple | |
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Onagraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Fuchsia can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or trees, rarely perennials, with opposite or whorled leaves and usually pendent flowers with conspicuous tubular calyx, 4 spreading sepals and 4 erect petals
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained, fertile soil in sun or part shade. Plant the base of the stem 5cm below the soil surface and provide a deep winter mulch and shelter from cold drying winds. See hardy fuchsia cultivation for further information
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring or semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, fuchsia gall mite, capsid bug and vine weevil
Diseases
May be susceptible to fuchsia rust, grey moulds and honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.