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Pruning guide · Shrub
Hardy fuchsia: when and how to prune
Fuchsia magellanica
Hardy fuchsia is best pruned in April.
| Pruning months | April |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in April |
| Flowering | July–October |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Hardy fuchsia: when to prune it?
In April, once the hard frosts are over.
What else to prune in those months? April
Hardy fuchsia: how to prune it?
- Cut frost-damaged or dead shoots back to healthy wood or to just above the ground: it sprouts again from the base and flowers on new shoots.
- If the branches have stayed healthy after a mild winter, cut last year’s shoots back to a few healthy buds and saw the oldest stems off at the base.
- Not sure whether a branch is still alive? Scratch the bark lightly: green underneath means living wood.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: April.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in April can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Leave the old shoots on over winter to protect the base, and cover the base with a few leaves.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Hardy fuchsia · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.