Fuchsia ‘Riccartonii’ (Hardy Fuchsia)

Extremely hardy and vigorous, Fuchsia ‘Riccartonii’ (Hardy Fuchsia) is an upright medium-sized deciduous shrub noted for its lovely arching growth and pretty flowers. Emerging in spring, small, ovate, bronze tinted, dark green leaves line the gracefully arching branches. From early summer until frost, the shrub is decorated with a profusion of small to medium single flowers with crimson sepals, almost held horizontally, surrounding deep purple corollas. Attractive to bees and hummingbirds, this flowering shrub makes a very attractive specimen plant and is also perfect for growing as a hedge in frost-free areas. An excellent landscape choice.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 4-6 ft. tall and wide (120-180 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, cottage gardens or containers.
• 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.