A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2004 Garden fuschias in Zone 8?

Can I plant the fuschias I have had in hanging pots all summer outdoors in the garden? I'm in zone 8 and would love to start a fuscia garden if they would survive outdoors. I've been told they do well in Ireland, which is similar climate.

Well, Fucshias cannot stand the slightest bit of cold so every where you read about them it says to bring them inside in Winter. They will be dormant starting around right now. You cut them back 2/3 and water once a week--they will grow new everything in spring. I imagine that if you wanted to keep them outside (I am on the border of zones 7/8 for my area), I would say cut them back 2/3, plant them then mulch with several inches of mulch and possibly even cover (this is how Brugmansias overwinter outside in the ground!!)!! Ok?!! Hope they do well!!

Thanks for the advice Bonnie. Most of my fuschias are still blooming, so I imagine I'm not too late. I'd like to keep them outdoors as I have limited indoor space and more plants than I know what to do with!

Lucky you!! We had a couple of pretty cold nights so I kind of freaked out and brought mine in. Since then they lost all their flowers and have gone dormant!! waaaaaa!! I know what you mean about space. Only I have very little inside or outside!! hehehe But I plan to cram as many different things in as I can next year--by way of tiered raised beds!! hehehe Yes, I am a cheater--in this regard!! hehehe

Hi Cricket,

From this site.
http://doityourself.com/flowers/fuchsiaflair.htm

"Once daytime temperatures reach the low 40s, most fuchsias lose their leaves. Below freezing many die, and at 20°F, very few of the more than 600 hybrids can survive. Below 0°F, none survive."

You might also find this helpful as well.
http://www.uaf.edu/coop-ext/publications/freepubs/HGA-00333.html

Newt

Thanks for the links, Newt. It appears that a couple of varieties I have just might make the winter. We'll see...

Cricket,
You are very welcome! I do hope they make it through the winter for you.
Newt

In Ireland Fuchsias are a common sight. People actually use them as hedges and they can grow to a height of almost eight feet!

There are hardy and tender Fuchsias. Here's a link to some of the more hardy ones:

http://images.google.ie/images?q=hardy+Fuchsias&hl=en

which are mostly the all-red or pink and purple ones.

Thanks, Shalimar, for the link. Most of my fuschias are the red, pink and purple varieties and several of them are on the site you linked. However, they are currently in pots and although I would like to plant them in the garden, I'm wondering if I'm too late in the season. Any advice? Apparently we have a similar climate to Wicklow.

Sorry, but I forgot to add that the fuschias are still blooming - I don't know if that makes a difference for transplanting.