Fuchsias are popular garden plants, revered for their exotic-looking blooms that dangle like decorative earrings. These long-blooming tender perennials are commonly grown in hanging baskets as a popular Mother’s Day gift, though there are many garden-worthy shrub types as well.
Also known as “lady’s earrings” or “lady’s eardrops,” Fuchsia are native to Central and South America, growing at higher altitudes where the air is cooler. There are over 100 species and thousands of varieties, with different sizes and growth habits suited to beds, borders, containers and hanging baskets. Here are some growing tips and how to use this versatile ornamental plant in your landscape.
4 inches to 6 feet tall, 1 to 6 feet wide. Climbers can reach 10 feet tall.
Fuchsia flowers, which range from 1/4 inch to several inches across, have flared petal structures called sepals that are slender and pointed. The corolla sits on top of the sepals, forming a tube around the stamens and pistils, and are single or double, rounded, or ruffly. Flowers come in a range of colors including white, pink, red, apricot, coral, orange, purple, and lavender, with single, double, or multi-colors. The sepal and corolla colors often contrast for a striking two-toned effect.
Fleshy leaves range from 1/4 inch to 10 inches long, averaging 1 to 3 inches long. Leaves are pointed or rounded, with smooth or serrated edges and a dull or shiny surface. Foliage is green, gold, chartreuse, bronze, burgundy, or variegated.
The Dark Eyes fuchsia is a beautiful trailing hybrid fuchsia with eye-catching deep blue and red blooms. With proper care, these fuchsias can provide stunning color in hanging baskets and containers from spring through fall. Here is a complete guide to growing and caring for Dark Eyes fuchsia plants.
Overview of Dark Eyes Fuchsia
- Botanical Name: Fuchsia hybrid ‘Dark Eyes’
- Common Names: Trailing fuchsia
- Plant Type: Tender perennial grown as an annual
- Mature Size: 4-8 inches tall, 18-24 inches wide
- Bloom Time: Spring to fall
- Flower Color: Deep blue corolla with red sepals
- Light Needs: Part shade to shade
The Dark Eyes fuchsia is a free-flowering trailing variety that blooms prolifically with minimal care. The flowers feature dark blue petals contrasted by bright red sepals for an eye-catching bicolor effect. This variety does not require deadheading to continue blooming.
Dark Eyes fuchsia thrives in hanging baskets window boxes and containers where its trailing stems can spill gracefully. The dense foliage provides the perfect backdrop for the abundant blooms.
Growing Conditions for Dark Eyes Fuchsia
- Location: Grow in partial shade or filtered sunlight. Protect from hot afternoon sun.
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix or compost-amended garden soil.
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not saturated. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.
- Temperature: Prefers warm weather, above 60°F/15°C. Bring indoors or protect from frost.
- Humidity: Average humidity. Mist leaves occasionally.
- Fertilizer: Feed every 2-3 weeks during growth with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.
Dark Eyes fuchsia flourishes in partly shaded spots protected from intense midday and afternoon sun Too much direct sun can cause leaf scorch Fuchsias thrive in warm weather and should be grown as annuals in all but the warmest climates. They can be overwintered indoors in colder zones.
Well-draining soil amended with compost provides ideal growing conditions. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Fuchsias are heavy feeders that benefit from regular fertilization during the growing season.
How to Plant Dark Eyes Fuchsia
Dark Eyes fuchsia is easy to grow from nursery starts Follow these simple steps when planting
- Select a partly shaded planting site with fertile, well-draining soil.
- Prepare the planting bed or container by turning the soil and mixing in compost.
- Remove the plant from its nursery pot and gently loosen any circled roots.
- Dig a hole the same depth as the root ball and place the plant inside.
- Backfill the hole with soil, pressing gently around the plant to remove air pockets.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
- If desired, add a trellis or plant support for the trailing stems.
For in-ground planting, space plants 18-24 inches apart. In containers, allow 1 plant per 10-12 inch pot. Pinch off any flowers in the first 2-3 weeks after planting to encourage bushy, full growth. Add a layer of mulch around newly planted fuchsias to retain soil moisture.
Fuchsia Care Tips
Caring for Dark Eyes fuchsias is easy with proper watering, fertilizing, pruning, and pest control. Follow these tips for success:
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Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not saturated. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
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Feed every 2-3 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half strength.
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Remove spent flowers if desired, but deadheading is not necessary for continued blooming.
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Prune back any broken, damaged, or overlong stems as needed to shape the plant.
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Check regularly for common fuchsia pests like aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, and spider mites. Use horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps for treatment.
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Bring potted fuchsias indoors before the first frost. Overwinter in a sunny window. Reduce watering and do not fertilize during dormancy.
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Propagate by taking 4-6 inch tip cuttings in summer. Remove lower leaves and place cuttings in moist potting mix. Keep cuttings warm and humid until rooting occurs.
With proper care, Dark Eyes fuchsia will bloom nonstop from spring until fall. Pay close attention to the plant’s water and fertilizer needs for plentiful flowers. Pinching and pruning stimulate bushy growth but are not required. Monitor for pests and treat promptly to avoid damage to the foliage and flowers.
Common Problems With Dark Eyes Fuchsia
Dark Eyes fuchsia is generally trouble-free, but may encounter a few common problems:
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Wilting – Usually caused by underwatering. Allow soil to dry between waterings. Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom of the container.
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Leaf drop – Can result from overwatering, underwatering, or exposure to cold drafts. Maintain even moisture and temperature.
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Leggy growth – Indicates insufficient light. Move plant to a brighter location or prune back overlong stems.
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Failure to bloom – Caused by excessive shade, over-fertilization, overpruning, or cooler temperatures. Ensure proper growing conditions.
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Pest damage – Inspect regularly for aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs. Control with horticultural oils or insecticidal soap sprays.
With proper site selection, watering, light conditions, and pest monitoring, Dark Eyes fuchsia is sure to thrive and produce abundant trailing blossoms. Pay close attention to the plant’s cultural requirements for optimal health and performance in the garden.
Tips for Overwintering Dark Eyes Fuchsia
In cold climates, Dark Eyes fuchsia can be overwintered indoors and returned to the garden the following season. Here are some tips for overwintering success:
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Bring potted fuchsias indoors before the first expected frost. Select the healthiest, most vigorous plants.
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Gradually decrease watering frequency as the plant enters dormancy. Do not fertilize during winter dormancy.
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Provide as much natural light as possible by placing in a south or west-facing window. Use grow lights to supplement natural light.
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Maintain indoor temperatures above 60°F/15°C. Protect from cold drafts.
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Remove any foliage or stems that die back over the winter. Resume watering sparingly.
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Prune back stems by 1/3 to 1/2 before bringing outdoors in spring. Repot in fresh soil, if needed.
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Acclimate plant slowly to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before permanently moving outside. Avoid exposing to frost.
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Resume normal watering, fertilizing, and care when new growth appears in spring. Pinch back tips to encourage bushy form.
With careful overwintering, Dark Eyes fuchsia can be maintained as a houseplant and returned to the garden for years of beauty. Pay close attention to proper light, humidity, temperature, watering, and pest control when overwintering these tropical plants indoors.
Enjoying Dark Eyes Fuchsia in the Garden
With prolific flowering, graceful trailing stems, and vivid bicolor blooms, Dark Eyes fuchsia is sure to be a showstopper in containers and hanging baskets. Caring for these fuchsias is easy with just a bit of attention to their water, light, temperature, and fertilizer requirements. Plant a Dark Eyes fuchsia this season for nonstop color from spring through fall!
HOW TO PLANT FUCHSIAS
Wait until all danger of frost is past in your area. Plant during spring in moderately cool weather to prevent heat stress.
Place in a site that receives full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, provide shade from hot afternoon sun. Too much shade will result in slower growth and fewer flowers.
Loosen soil in the planting area and amend with compost or other rich organic matter. When planting fuchsia in pots, use a prepared potting mix.
Dig a hole slightly wider and shallower than the root ball. Remove plant from the nursery container and loosen roots if potbound. Place plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. In colder climates, hardy shrub types can be planted 2 to 4 inches deeper in the ground to protect the root ball from hard winter freezes. Fill in the hole with soil, tamp down gently to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly. Add a layer of mulch around the base to suppress weeds, retain moisture and keep roots cool. Water regularly until established.
Fuchsias prefer rich, well-draining soil. Amend soil with compost or other organic matter. For containers, use a high-quality all-purpose soil mix.
FUCHSIA PLANT CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Firecracker upright fuchsia. Photo by: Proven Winners
Fuchsias thrive in temperate climates with mild winters, cooler summers and high humidity. Regions of the Pacific Northwest, England, and coastal areas provide the most optimal growing conditions. Fuchsias dislike hot, dry climates. Ideal temperatures are between 55 to 80 degrees F, though some varieties are more heat tolerant. During hotter months, flowering may slow down or halt, picking back up again when cooler temperatures resume in late summer and early fall.
Fuchsias perform best with regular water. Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Plants will need more water during hot spells. Potted plants will need more frequent watering than those in the ground. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of disease.
Fuchsias perform best with regular fertilizing. Feed plants every 2 weeks during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer such as fish emulsion or seaweed. Plants can also be fed weekly using fertilizer at half-strength. Taper off fertilizing as fall approaches.
- For hardy and shrub fuchsias: Wait until early or mid-spring when new growth appears. If the plant dies back to the ground in harsh winters, cut back all dead growth to just above the ground. In milder winters, remove any dead or broken branches and cut branches back to where there is living growth. If you want to keep the plants smaller, you can also trim them by up to one-third of their size.
- For tender fuchsias: Young plants can be pinched back to promote more branching and blooms. Trim out any broken or damaged branches as needed. Deadhead spent flowers and berries to prolong bloom time.
Tender fuchsias can be overwintered by bringing plants indoors for the winter. Hardy fuchsia plants can stay outdoors with protection. Read more on how to overwinter your fuchsia plants.
Fuchsias can be propagated from seed or from cuttings. Learn how to propagate fuchsia plants.
Fuchsias are susceptible to pests and diseases, particularly when not given optimal growing conditions. Pests include aphids, fuchsia gall mite, scale, spider mites, thrips and whitefly. Diseases include botrytis (gray mold), powdery mildew, root or crown rot, rust, smut, and verticillium wilt. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap as needed.
Fuchsia Plant Care: How to Plant, Grow and Care for Fuchsias
FAQ
Is fuchsia dark eyes a perennial or annual?
Dark Eyes Fuchsia is an annual when planted outdoors from zones 8 and below. It is hardy in zones 9 to 11. Fuchsia is tricky to overwinter, but it can be done. It requires higher humidity.
How do you take care of a fuchsia plant with dark eyes?
On watering and fertilizing: Generally fuchsia likes to be moist at all times but not soggy, so watch to make sure the plant does not dry out too much. Fertilizing every 6-8 weeks with half strength fertilizer should be fine to keep the plant healthy.
Is fuchsia dark eyes hardy?
A hardy, upright variety, your ‘Fuchsia Dark Eyes’ will survive an average British winter in your garden. Offer this shrub some shelter from cold, drying winds and provide a deep winter mulch when the weather cools.
Do fuchsias like full sun or shade?
Although fuchsias are considered shade plants, they need lots of light to grow and bloom. Choose a location outdoors where the plants receive direct morning sun or filtered sun all day. The warmer the climate, the more shade will be necessary. Fuchsias are at their best where the summer days stay below 85 degrees F.