Fuchsia 'Swingtime' - Plant

Plant Fuchsia 'Swingtime' in a large pot with holes in the base. Cover the bottom with a layer of potsherds or hydro granules to help retain water. Use fresh potting compost or special fuchsia compost to ensure a rich bloom. Sprinkle the compost into the pot and place the fuchsia at the correct depth. Fill with compost and press firmly. Water immediately after planting. This plant grows well in a shady or semi-shady area.

For the full effect of the gigantic flowers, Fuchsia 'Swingtime' are at their best when grown in a well-filled flower pot or window-box. These double flowers are on average 6 cm in diameter! This particular variety combines well with other Fuchsias, Impatiens (Busy LizZie), and leafy plants such as ivy. Use a porous plastic flower pot in order for the soil to dry out more slowly.

Fuchsias are one of the most popular patio plants. They are one of the few flowering plants that also grow in semi-shade while producing several flowers. This plant is native to damp mountain forests around the equator and is named after the famous botanist Leon Hart Fuchs. The large-flowered Fuchsia species that we know of is one of several varieties. There are over 8,000 types of fuchsias, single-flowered, semi-double or double-flowered. The sepals of fuchsia are always beautifully coloured, usually in a different shade than the petals.

This fuchsia requires a lot of water in the summer. Always keep the compost fairly moist. However, do not allow their roots to become water-logged. Protect the plants from very bright sunshine. For an extra rich bloom, we recommend to feed plant food along with water on a regular basis. Regularly remove the dead flowers plus the seed ball. The plant will then continue to flower all summer long.

These fuchsias cannot tolerate frost. However, you can protect them. They need to be transferred to a frost free place before the first frost and kept in a cool place at a minimum of 5-10° C in an unheated greenhouse, shed or garage. Here the plants will be kept just above freezing and go into dormancy. Prune the branches to half their size and remove all their leaves. Make sure the compost is not too dry during the winter. In April transfer the fuchsias to a slightly larger pot using fresh potting compost. Then place them in a warm spot and water regularly. From mid-May onwards, your fuchsias can be planted outside again and you can once more look forward to the beautiful flowers. Fuchsias can also be overwintered in pits. Dig a 60 cm deep pit in the garden and lay turf on the bottom. Place the pots in the pit and sprinkle with peat. Cover the pit with a layer of plastic so the pots do not get wet.