Fuchsia excorticata
tree fuchsia
A species of large, tender, upright, bushy, deciduous shrub or small tree which can reach a height of around 12m in ideal conditions, with dark green foliage and attractive, pale brown peeling ornamental bark when mature which can be argued is its best feature. Yellow and violet-purple flowers with appear from summer through until autumn
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Purple Yellow | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Onagraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- Potentially harmful
- Although Fuchsia berries are edible, most are not particularly tasty and are sparsely produced on plants. Fuchsia plants are generally grown as an ornamental and not for fruit crops within the UK Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- 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
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a cool or frost-free greenhouse in a container of peat-free multi-purpose compost in bright indirect light and keep just moist. Water freely and use a general liquid fertiliser monthly from spring to summer. Plants of a managable size can be placed outdoors in the summer months. See tender fuchsia cultivation for further information
Propagation
Propagate by softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Sub-tropical
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
Pruning group 6; may need restrictive pruning under glass
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, fuchsia gall mite, fuchsia flea beetle, glasshouse red spider mite 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.