A newbie Fuchsia buyer, advice needed please

sb44

I bought 3 fuchsias today from Morrisons as they were only £1 each, Tom West, Annabel and Dollar Princess.

Know, I haven't got a clue ref these type of plants, I assume I should pot on into bigger pots?

They are in 3" pots and are about 24cm tall.

I did intend to put them in the garden when a bit bigger but I don't think they are all compatible.

:huh:

Linda32

I just googled them and they all look lovely, a nice find :T You can put them where ever you want. Straight in the garden or in a pot, its up to you.

sobie

The good news is Dollar Princess and Tom West are hardy (Once hardened off).

Tom West & Annabel are semi-trailing/ lax (weeping) so look good in pots, or baskets, but are also suitable for growing in borders

Dollar Princess is a small hardy bush so again pots or borders (but not hanging baskets).

Annabel also makes a good standard. Pinch all the side shoots of so you are left with one, central straight stem and then as it grows, keep pinching the side shoots away and use a cane to keep the stem straight. Once its got to the height you'd like you can let the top grow out. If you do this is will need frost protection as it will probably only shoot at the base next year.

Best place in the garden is a sheltered, semi or fully shaded spot.

sb44

Linda32 wrote: »

I just googled them and they all look lovely, a nice find :T You can put them where ever you want. Straight in the garden or in a pot, its up to you.

I will put them in pots for now until they get a bit bigger.

I wanted something cheap to provide ground cover in the front garden.

There is nothing in there at the minute, it was graveled over when we bought and that was 10 years ago! Time for a change.

My husband has no idea about gardening so it is up to me to try and improve it.

I have some trees growing in pots in the back garden (eucalyptus, ornamental almond, birch and rowan) and had an idea, to put in ground covering plants that grow to at least the height of a decent sized planter, then put the tree (in pot) behind the cover plants. I don't want to grow any trees in case we decide to change the garden in the future. I thought this way I could have instant height and move them around for a change in the future.

Morrisons have tons of fucshia plants, all £1 each, I was a bit overwhelmed by the choice, wasn't sure which ones to go for.

sb44

sobie wrote: »

The good news is Dollar Princess and Tom West are hardy (Once hardened off).

Tom West & Annabel are semi-trailing/ lax (weeping) so look good in pots, or baskets, but are also suitable for growing in borders

Dollar Princess is a small hardy bush so again pots or borders (but not hanging baskets).

Annabel also makes a good standard. Pinch all the side shoots of so you are left with one, central straight stem and then as it grows, keep pinching the side shoots away and use a cane to keep the stem straight. Once its got to the height you'd like you can let the top grow out. If you do this is will need frost protection as it will probably only shoot at the base next year.

Best place in the garden is a sheltered, semi or fully shaded spot.

Do you mean to grow like this?




http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/fuchsia/2002100240010397.html

sobie

sb44 wrote: »

Do you mean to grow like this?




http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/fuchsia/2002100240010397.html

Yes, Isn't it lovely. Its probably taken 5 years to get it like that, but so worth it.

sb44

sobie wrote: »

Yes, Isn't it lovely. Its probably taken 5 years to get it like that, but so worth it.

Yep!

Once grown like that how long do they normally live for Sobie?

Pupnik

Well, I'm off to Morrison's tomorrow then! Great prices for some beautiful plants. I have been meaning to get a fuscia for a while, where I used to live they were much loved by elephant hawk moths which are a beautiful bright pink and yellow moth with a very striking caterpillar

sb44

Pupnik wrote: »

Well, I'm off to Morrison's tomorrow then! Great prices for some beautiful plants. I have been meaning to get a fuscia for a while, where I used to live they were much loved by elephant hawk moths which are a beautiful bright pink and yellow moth with a very striking caterpillar

They must have had about 15 varieties so you will have a good choice.

Why not give them a ring first to double check they have them in.

I wasn't sure which ones to get so I chose the ones that had the RHS Award of Garden Merit sign on the sleeve.

The Tom West one has variegated leaves with bits of pink on the edges, that looks like a nice one.

Davesnave

Annabelle was hardy for years in our holiday house in maritime Devon.

Bear in mind that a standard is a lot of work, not only in the growing, but in the looking-after through winter and the getting-it-going-again in spring. Do it wrong, or simply have poor overwintering facilities, and you're back to a bush!

Fuchsias are also safer in the ground if you're forgetful, as in most urban areas, vine weevils will chomp the roots of potted plants which don't have the compost changed/treated.

sb44

Davesnave wrote: »

Annabelle was hardy for years in our holiday house in maritime Devon.

Bear in mind that a standard is a lot of work, not only in the growing, but in the looking-after through winter and the getting-it-going-again in spring. Do it wrong, or simply have poor overwintering facilities, and you're back to a bush!

Fuchsias are also safer in the ground if you're forgetful, as in most urban areas, vine weevils will chomp the roots of potted plants which don't have the compost changed/treated.

Thanks very much Dave.

I think I will get the front garden weeded and put them in there then.

Looks like they may be kept as bushes in case I get a bit lacks with the watering.