Fuchsia magellanica ‘Thompsonii’ (Hardy Fuchsia)

Introduced in 1840, Fuchsia magellanica ‘Thompsonii’ (Hardy Fuchsia) is a wonderfully elegant, relatively upright, semi-evergreen shrub, noted for its handsome arching growth and pretty flowers. Emerging in spring, small, ovate, gray-green leaves line the gracefully arching red branches. From early summer until frost, the shrub is decorated with a profusion of long, pendant, single red flowers, with purple sepals. Attractive to bees and hummingbirds, this flowering shrub makes a very attractive informal hedge, and is perfect for coastal gardens.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 3-5 ft. tall (90-150 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in moist, fertile, well-drained soils. Provide a deep winter mulch and shelter from cold drying winds.
• Plant as a specimen or in small groups. Perfect for beds and borders, hedges, cottage gardens, coastal gardens.
• In early to mid-spring cut back the previous year’s flowering stems to within one or two buds of the older woody framework. Also remove any thin, weak or dead growth. This stimulates development of strong new growth on which flowers will be produced in late summer.
• Propagate by softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings
• Watch for rust, capsid bug and caterpillars.
• Native to Chile, Argentina