In Britain, Fuschia are often seen in areas warmed by the Gulf Stream these will be slim red tubular flowers which are often seen in hedgerows and are known as F. magellanica.

F. magellanica are extremely hardy in well drained soil but will die back to the soil floor during the winter. The Hawkshead variety has smaller white flowers and the variety Sharpitor have pale pink flowers. After these latter two species are cut back at the end of each season, both will grow plants up to 3 feet tall and both species will grow in shade.

There are over one hundred species of wild fuchsia with more than four thousand hybrids / cultivars so there are bound to be some that appeal to you. So when we start to see the revival, be ahead of the pack.

Even hardy fuchsias can be killed by very cold weather or wet soil during the winter. So when planting keep the base of the stem just a few inches below the soil surface, this will help the plant survive. Planting them in the correct manner means that even if the plants are hit by frost they will still produce new shoots under the soil during spring.

Most of the fuchsia species grow very quickly and easily from seed. Make sure you squash the berries on to the surface of compost in autumn and cover lightly, keep in a cold greenhouse. The hybrids / cultivars can be grown from the cuttings taken during late summer, but they will need bottom heat to help them get through the winter months.

Fuchsias will start flowering in June but they are at their best during the slightly cooler weeks in September / October, which makes them ideal for late flowering perennials.