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Fuchsia 'Tom West' Meillez (v)
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

fuchsia 'Tom West'

An upright, vigorous, deciduous shrub with lax growth and variegated cream and green foliage, with cerise veins and stems. Flowers are small, single, red and purple borne from summer to autumn

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Cream Green Variegated
Summer Purple Red Cream Green Variegated
Autumn Purple Red Cream Green Variegated
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Onagraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, fertile soil in sun or part shade. Hardy outside in most UK regions. Plant the base of the stem 5cm below the soil surface, provide a deep winter mulch and shelter from cold drying winds. See hardy 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
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 6

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, fuchsia gall mite and vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to fuchsia rust, grey moulds and honey fungus (rarely)

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