Hardy fuchsia?

Discussion in 'Gardening Discussions' started by Fat Controller, Feb 23, 2026 at 2:16 PM.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2012
    Messages:
    30,441
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Public Transport
    Location:
    At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
    Ratings:
    +58,739
    I have a bit of a dead zone in front of the house - it is set to paving slabs, very small area, although I have lain membrane on top of the slabs and put slate chips down as the slabs were minging... anyway, I digress..

    Until last year, I had a hydrangea in a fairly large pot which was OK, but the early heat and prolonged dry spell last year did for it - no matter how much I watered, I simply wasn't keeping up and it died, so now I only have the pot...

    Now, I am wanting 'something' there, but at the same time I am thinking I'd like to get a bit of height involved too, because it sits behind a wall and the ground level is a good 6 to 8 inches lower than the surrounding ground. So, I am contemplating building a planter from wood that is larger and higher than the pot - but what to put in it?? Having lost a few hydrangeas over the years, I am reluctant, but was wondering about a hardy fuchsia?

    The area gets full sun first thing in the morning and then is in shade from late morning onwards.

    Any suggestions as to variety (want something vigorous, but preferably not a cape fuchsia) - or even suggestions for alternatives?
     
  2. Ezzie

    Ezzie Gardener

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2018
    Messages:
    62
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    I want to be a nurseryman when I grow up.
    Location:
    Middle England
    Ratings:
    +151
    I’ve grown many fuchsias over the years but two in particular appear to be bomb proof. They are Mrs Popple and Army Nurse. Both cope with a variety of conditions in my garden from north facing/no sunshine to a full blown, sunny all day location. The only problem that I see with a fuchsia is that for several months, you will be looking at ‘dead sticks’. No doubt someone else will come along with an alternative suggestion that may have longer interest.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Fat Controller

      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

      Joined:
      May 5, 2012
      Messages:
      30,441
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Public Transport
      Location:
      At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
      Ratings:
      +58,739
      Aye, that is indeed a fair point - although, currently it is an empty pot with hydrangea sticks, so... I could make a larger planter and have more than one thing I suppose, just not sure what.
       
    • Fat Controller

      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

      Joined:
      May 5, 2012
      Messages:
      30,441
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Public Transport
      Location:
      At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
      Ratings:
      +58,739
      The dead zone in question, with the dead hydrangea hiding behind the wall. Pay no attention to the hazel in the corner, that shouldn't be there and gets hacked every year - - been trying to kill it for years. The shrub/hedging on the side is camelia - it doesn't stick out that far in reality, that is purely a legacy of the angle this image was taken from.

      upload_2026-2-23_15-1-4.png
       
    • ViewAhead

      ViewAhead Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Mar 14, 2024
      Messages:
      4,413
      Gender:
      Female
      Location:
      South of the South Downs, north of the sea!
      Ratings:
      +10,718
      I think a fuchsia would work and they do have a nice long flowering season. If you were happy with white flowers (which do show up well in shade), how about Hawkshead. Grows to about a metre tall and maybe 50 cms all round. Seems very tolerant of drought and shade.

      The only thing to watch for would be the fuchsia gall mite, which can disfigure the leaves and destroy the buds.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • Plantminded

        Plantminded Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Mar 13, 2024
        Messages:
        2,860
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Wirral
        Ratings:
        +9,423
        Delta’s Sara is another good hardy fuchsia with white and purple flowers which would lighten that area.
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • ViewAhead

          ViewAhead Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Mar 14, 2024
          Messages:
          4,413
          Gender:
          Female
          Location:
          South of the South Downs, north of the sea!
          Ratings:
          +10,718
          That would be an arching option, whereas Hawkshead is an upright one, so it depends how far into the space FC can let it grow without it getting in the way. :)
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • CarolineL

            CarolineL Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Jun 12, 2016
            Messages:
            2,980
            Gender:
            Female
            Occupation:
            Retired Software engineer
            Location:
            Rural Carmarthenshire
            Ratings:
            +7,503
            Another vote for Delta's Sarah. I saw it in various gardens last year flowering incredibly late into autumn, and the flowers look more exotic than Mrs Popple and Hawkshead
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • Agree Agree x 1
            • Plantminded

              Plantminded Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Mar 13, 2024
              Messages:
              2,860
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired
              Location:
              Wirral
              Ratings:
              +9,423
              They are both described by the RHS as upright and bushy @ViewAhead. :) The Delta’s Sara that I had could also easily be pruned to shape.
               
              • Like Like x 1
                Last edited: Feb 23, 2026 at 4:35 PM
              • Fat Controller

                Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

                Joined:
                May 5, 2012
                Messages:
                30,441
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Public Transport
                Location:
                At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
                Ratings:
                +58,739
                Thanks for the suggestions :)

                In the vertical direction, it can have as much as it likes really - not a busting lot of light comes in that window anyways, so as long as it isn't a hedge, it should be good. I did ponder on a standard but then thought it might look sparse/odd
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                • ricky101

                  ricky101 Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jun 15, 2016
                  Messages:
                  3,717
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Location:
                  Sheffield
                  Ratings:
                  +4,628
                  Also agree , had Mrs. Popple growing in a similar situation for many years, getting to 4ft high and spread and masses of flowers, but as said sticks for the other half of the year.
                  For something higher Lady Boothby also has lots of growth and flowers, easily up to 6ft+.

                  You could underplant with bulbs etc. so giving year round colour.

                  Two tallish alternatives for shade/ semi shade, Day Lilies and Hostas
                   
                  • Like Like x 2
                  • ViewAhead

                    ViewAhead Total Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Mar 14, 2024
                    Messages:
                    4,413
                    Gender:
                    Female
                    Location:
                    South of the South Downs, north of the sea!
                    Ratings:
                    +10,718
                    I must have a word with my Delta Sarah as it definitely aspires to be an archer! :biggrin:
                     
                    • Like Like x 1
                    • Funny Funny x 1
                    Loading...

                    Share This Page

                    1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                      By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                      Dismiss Notice