Fuchsia microphylla (E)
small-leaved fuchsia
A variable shrub up to 2m tall with red shoots and small, toothed, leaves up to 4cm long, flushed red when young. Small, single flowers with white to pink or red sepals and petals hang from leaf axils in summer and are followed by black fruits
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 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 Red | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Pink Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Black | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Onagraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen or Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
- 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
- Plant range
- Mexico & C America
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a unheated greenhouse in containers of peat-free multi-purpose compost in bright indirect light and keep just moist. Can be grown outside in the summer months in sun or part shade, water freely and use a general liquid fertiliser monthly from spring to summer. May be hardy in mild areas or inner city locations. See tender fuchsia cultivation for further information
Propagation
Propagate by softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Wall side borders
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
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.