My thinking is that they will always produce new growth where you cut so it's best to retain the shape of the plant by cutting all the plant down to about 3" max. Cutting back by half in late autumn is often a good start for outdoor plants. or less. Here, the plants retain the ability to re-grow from leaf joints or ‘nodes’, even if there are no obvious buds. or less. If you live in zone 10 or 11, wait until new growth emerges in early spring, then prune the plant to reduce height or to remove thin or weak growth. They are normally grown as bushy shrubs. You can cover the box with a pane of glass. Although maintenance is generally uninvolved, regular pruning is sometimes needed to keep your fuchsia vibrant and blooming at its best. Simply cut the bush right back hard – near to ground level – or to a basic frame of any Fuchsia that you might have been training for some reason. The blooms, which are similar to those of trailing fuchsia, are followed by reddish-purple fruits. All fuchsia types benefit from regular removal of spent blooms. Cut off branches that cross each other in bush plants. A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest. *Valid on standard one-day tickets only, transaction fee applies. Prune fuchsia in early spring before the plants begin to grow. Fuchsia plants flower on new growth, so if you want plenty of blooms then you need to prune back aggressively. Highly-scented, it was launched to a frenzy of interest at the Chelsea Flower Show 2005. Hardy fuchsia – Hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica) is a bushy perennial that grows year round in USDA zones 7 through 9. This helps prevent the spread of bacteria and disease. This will give you a clear view of the plant, and also minimize the risk of spreading spider mites, gall mites or whiteflies often found in old fuchsia growth. Avoid pruning hardy fuchsia in winter unless you live in a warm, non-freezing climate. It helps to keep in mind that fuchsia produces blooms only on new wood, so there’s no need to worry about cutting off buds when you’re doing fuchsia pruning on old wood. Fuchsia is a very colorful plant that can be pruned to create a particular shape or style of growth. [2] X Research source Purchase shears and snips at your local gardening store or online. How to Cut Back Fuchsias That Grow in the Ground. You can cut back the Fuchsia by half to keep it compact. If you are not a subscriber you can access this content by subscribing to Gardeners' World. Step 1 - Examine the Plant. This tropical-looking shrub reaches mature heights of 6 to 10 feet (1.8-3 m.) and widths of about 4 feet (1.2 meters). Where to plant and how to care and prune fuchsias is divided into two groups, winter hardy fuchsias and half-hardy (semi-hardy) fuchsias. With the arrival of the winter season many of us are spending more time indoors, so why not brighten up your home and purify the air with a range of wonderful and architecturally interesting indoor plants. A very important reason to prune a fuchsia at least once a year is that they will not grow flowers on old wood. Trailing fuchsia generally doesn’t need a lot of pruning, but you can always remove thin, weak or wayward growth as needed throughout the season to maintain a healthy, vigorous plant. Late July to August is the best time to start thinking about pruning a fuchsia. You will get natural dieback at wintertime every year but I like to prune on top of this. Pot the fuchsias in pots over the winter, with enough soil to accommodate the root ball. Pruning isn’t usually necessary, although a light trim in late autumn may be helpful if you live in a windy area. bring your trailing fuchsia indoors for the winter, What Is Hybrid Fuchsia – Information About Hybrid Fuchsia Care, Fuchsia Doesn't Bloom: What To Do When A Fuchsia Plant Is Not Blooming, Growing Fuchsia Flower - Care Of Fuchsias, Prickly Kale Leaves – Does Kale Have Thorns, Corn Husk Wreath Ideas: How To Make A Corn Husk Wreath, DIY Air Plant Wreaths: Wreath Making With Air Plants, Natural Pest Repellent: Do Hot Peppers Deter Pests In The Garden, What Is A Tipu Tree: How To Grow A Tipuana Tree, Types Of Lavender: Difference Between French And English Lavender, Zone 9 Tropical Plants: Tips On Growing Tropical Gardens In Zone 9, Thanksgiving Tradition: Turning Homegrown Pumpkins Into Pie, Growing Thanksgiving Dinner – Must Have Turkey Side Dishes, Interesting Uses For Pecans: What To Do With Pecans, The Bountiful Garden: Bringing The Garden To Thanksgiving. From the team at Gardeners' World Magazine. Pruning fuchsia is essential for a strong, healthy plant with lots of beautiful blooms. Don’t be afraid of cutting back a fuchsia drastically if need be, as the plant will eventually rebound better and healthier than ever. This practice prevents disease from spreading in your plants. Cut the branches to get your cuttings for propagation. Trailing fuchsia – Commonly grown as an annual in most areas, trailing fuchsia (Fuchsia x hybrida) grows year round in the warm climates of USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. This fuchsia is ideal for hanging baskets. Fuchsia is a gorgeous plant that provides dangling blooms in jewel-like colors throughout most of the summer. Plants in pots should be cut back to four to eight inches above the soil level. Fuchsias and other sub-shrubs can be cut back in March and April, once all risk of frost has passed. Use hand shears or snips for pruning. Make cuts just above a node. Some ornamental fuchsia shrubs are substantial, growing over three metres (10 feet) while others are trailing varieties – perfect for hanging baskets. By: Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Sign up for our newsletter. Rare and highly sought after, Hyacinth 'Midnight Mystic'® is the first and original black hyacinth. If you want to bring your trailing fuchsia indoors for the winter, cut it back to 6 inches (15 cm.)