From my perspective as a plant, my long-term health and happiness begin with the location you choose for me. I am a Hardy Fuchsia, which means I can tolerate colder temperatures than my more delicate cousins, but I still have specific needs. Please find me a spot with bright, dappled sunlight or partial shade. The gentle morning sun is wonderful, but the intense, hot afternoon rays can scorch my delicate leaves and flowers, causing me immense stress. I also need protection from strong, drying winds which can tear my foliage and dry out my soil too quickly. A spot near a wall or fence, or under the light canopy of a tree, is ideal.
My roots are the key to my survival; they are how I drink and eat. To help them establish and spread, I need a comfortable and nutritious environment. The soil must be well-draining—I cannot have my roots sitting in constantly wet, cold soil, as this will cause them to rot and I will perish. However, I also need the soil to retain enough moisture to keep me hydrated between waterings. Please amend heavy clay soil with plenty of compost, well-rotted manure, or grit to open it up. For sandy soil, add organic matter to help it hold moisture and nutrients. I thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil that is rich in organic matter, so working a generous amount of compost into the planting hole will make me very content.
When it's time to move me from my pot into my forever home, please be gentle. The best time to do this is in the spring or early autumn when the weather is mild, giving my roots time to settle in before extreme heat or frost arrives. Dig a hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as my current root ball. This gives my new roots soft, amended soil to expand into easily. Place me in the hole so that the top of my root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface. Backfill the hole with the improved soil, firming it gently around me to eliminate large air pockets. Then, please give me a deep, thorough watering to help settle the soil around my roots and reduce transplant shock.
After planting, my need for consistent moisture is critical. Please water me regularly, especially during my first growing season and during any dry spells. The goal is to keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. A layer of mulch, such as bark chips or compost, spread around my base (but not touching my main stem) will help immeasurably. It conserves moisture, keeps my roots cool, and suppresses weeds that would compete with me for resources. To support all the energy it takes to produce my beautiful, pendulous flowers throughout summer and autumn, I appreciate a balanced, liquid fertilizer applied every few weeks during the growing season.
As autumn ends and temperatures drop, I will begin to prepare for my winter rest. My leaves may yellow and drop, and my stems may die back. This is a natural process for me. To protect my crown and roots from severe frost, please apply a thick, cozy layer of mulch, such as straw, bark, or dry leaves, over my base after the first hard frost. In very cold regions, you can also loosely pile fallen leaves or straw over the entire plant. Do not worry if my top growth looks dead; if my roots are protected, I will draw energy from them to send up vigorous new shoots when the warmth returns in spring.
