Fuchsia procumbens Growing Guide

Fuchsia Procumbens NZ Information

There is a wealth of information about Fuchsia procumbens in NZ, and The Plant Company is often asked specific questions about them. Those questions and answers are laid out in this section.

Fuchsia Procumbens Characteristics

Fuchsia procumbens, commonly known as creeping fuchsia, is a unique and charming evergreen groundcover native to New Zealand. Some of its characteristics include:

Growth Habit

• Fuchsia procumbens is a prostrate shrub, meaning it has a creeping, low-lying growth habit.
• Its stems are slender, creeping, with a small amount of wood.
• Unlike most fuchsia varieties known for their hanging flowers, Fuchsia procumbens sprawls along the ground or climbs on nearby shrubs and bushes.
• This creeping fuchsia is fast-growing and considered to have a medium growth rate, reaching a mature height of 10-20 cm and a spread of 60-100 cm.

Foliage

• The plant features small green leaves that form a dense mat.
• The leaves are oval to nearly round and are thin.

Flowers

• Fuchsia procumbens produces delicate flowers during the summer.
• Unlike typical fuchsias with hanging flowers, the blooms on Fuchsia procumbens are unique in that they face upwards.
• The flowers are small and have a yellow-green floral tube with red-purple tips.
• The blue pollen adds another interesting feature to the colour scheme.

Fruit

• The flowers result in large, red berries.
• These berries are technically edible but are rarely eaten due to their bland and somewhat slimy taste. However, they are attractive to birds, which helps with seed dispersal.

Natural habitat

• Fuchsia procumbens can be found in various coastal locations on the North Island of New Zealand, including:
  • Cobble/gravel beaches
  • Coastal cliff faces
  • Coastal scrub and grassland
  • Dune slacks and swales
  • The margins of saltmarshes
• Due to habitat destruction, Fuchsia procumbens is now considered a rare species in the wild.

Preferred growing conditions

• Fuchsia procumbens is a remarkably adaptable plant that can tolerate a range of light conditions from partial shade to full sun.
• It thrives in moist, well-drained soil and can withstand coastal conditions.

Is Fuchsia Procumbens Native To NZ?

Fuchsia procumbens, commonly known as creeping fuchsia, is native to New Zealand. In fact, it's considered endemic to New Zealand, meaning it doesn't grow naturally anywhere else in the world. They are quite common throughout North Island coastal areas from Ninety Mile Beach to Coromandel.

Is Fuchsia Procumbens NZ's Fuchsia?

Fuchsia procumbens can be considered New Zealand's fuchsia because:

• It's endemic: Fuchsia procumbens is native to New Zealand, specifically the coastal areas of the North Island. This means it's naturally occurring there and not found anywhere else in the wild.
• Unique among fuchsias: Unlike the more common fuchsias known for their drooping flowers, Fuchsia procumbens has a creeping growth habit and upward-facing flowers.
• Fuchsia procumbens is the most well-known native fuchsia due to its characteristics and ease of cultivation.
• It is also smallest fuchsia species in the world!

All of these characteristics makes it a special fuchsia that is uniquely New Zealand!

Is Fusia The Same As Fuchsia?

Fusia is the incorrect spelling of Fuchsia, so yes, they are the same plant.

What Is The Natural Habitat Of Fuchsia Procumbens?

Fuchsia procumbens is found naturally in coastal areas north of Auckland and across to Coromandel Peninsula, as well as Kapiti Island. In these areas it has been found on gravel beaches, coastal cliff faces, scrub and grassland areas adjacent to the coast, and on the edges of saltmarshes. Suffice to say, Fuchsia procumbens is a tough plant that can tolerate coastal climates, a degree of wind exposure, and dry periods.

Growing Fuchsia Procumbens In NZ

Planting Creeping Fuchsia and getting them to grow well is generally easy when you get a few of the basics right. This involves planting them in the right soil type, choosing the most ideal planting position, and ensuring the plants have the essentials to thrive. The Plant Company has the right advice to ensure success!

How Big Do Fuchsia Procumbens Get?

Fuchsia procumbens is known for being a low-growing groundcover. It typically grows to 10-15 cm tall and will spread about 60 cm wide. There will be variations on these sizes depending on factors such as sunlight, watering, fertility, soil conditions, and plant competition.

How Do You Care For Fuchsia Procumbens?

Fuchsia procumbens is relatively low maintenance, but there are a few things you can do to help get the most from you creeping fuchsia:

• Fuchsias enjoy dappled sunlight or partial shade.
• Provide consistent moisture but avoid poorly drained or sodden soils.
• Plant your Fuchsia in well-drained, fertile soil.
• Apply native plant fertiliser in spring to the soil surface.
• You can trim the plants at any time to contain them, though spring is the time generally recommended by The Plant Company.
• You may need to consider frost protection for plants as they are not tolerant of frost.
• Try to avoid placing them in windy areas as they will grow slowly and not produce the lush and dense look they are favoured for.

How To Plant Fuchsia Procumbens

Choose a partial shade position with good drainage for your Fuchsia procumbens. The hole should be dug to at least 50-75% deeper and wider than the container the plant is currently growing in. A planting spade makes the hole digging a lot easier. The Plant Company recommends incorporating compost or sheep pellets into the soil to provide additional organic material, but this is not essential. Do not put fertiliser in the bottom of the hole, rather spread that on the soil surface after planting, and preferably do this when the plant is actively growing in spring.

Remove the plant from the container it is growing in by either pulling it free or by cutting the bag. We recommend cutting the bag or container, especially for larger grade plants, to minimise any chance of damaging the roots. If the roots have been growing in a circle or are all bound up, you can tease them apart if you want but this is not essential. Similarly, you don’t need to remove any of the growing media. The Plant Company does not recommend cutting the roots, even if the plant is root-bound as this offers no benefit. This is explained in our article, Managing Rootbound Plants.

Now place the plant in the hole and make sure it is level with the soil surface before filling in around it. If it is above the soil surface, dig more out. If it is below, put in more soil and retest the level. Once the plant is set level with the soil surface, add more soil gradually and firm it around the plant using gentle pressure as you go. Scatter native plant fertiliser across the soil surface after planting and the give the plant a good watering.

What Are The Common Garden Uses For Fuchsia Procumbens?

Fuchsia procumbens, with its charming low-growing habit and attractive foliage, offers several benefits for gardeners. Here are some of the common garden uses for this unique, New Zealand native:

• Groundcover: Fuchsia procumbens excels as a groundcover. Its dense mat of bright green leaves effectively suppresses weeds and adds a lush, textural element to your garden.
• Erosion Control: Planted on slopes or banks, Fuchsia procumbens helps prevent soil erosion with its sprawling form and dense root system.
• Rock Garden Plant: The cascading nature of Fuchsia procumbens makes it a perfect choice for rock gardens. It can gracefully spill over rocks and crevices, adding a touch of softness and colour.
• Hanging Basket or Container Plant: While not its most common use, Fuchsia procumbens can be grown in hanging baskets or containers. In this case, regular trimming might be needed to maintain its desired shape.
• Companion Planting: Fuchsia procumbens can be a great companion plant for various shrubs and perennials. Its contrasting foliage colour and low-growing habit create visual interest and provide shade for the roots of taller plants.
• Coastal Gardens: Fuchsia procumbens thrives in coastal environments due to its tolerance for salt and wind.

Adding to its wide versatility, Fuchsia procumbens is a relatively low-maintenance plant. It's fast-growing, adaptable to various light conditions, and requires minimal pruning.

Where Do Fuchsia Procumbens Prefer To Grow?

Fuchsia procumbens, also known as creeping fuchsia or trailing fuchsia, is a versatile plant that can thrive in a variety of locations. It will tolerate coastal environments and wind, but it does, however, have some preferred growing conditions:

• Fuchsia procumbens prefers partial shade or dappled sunlight. However, this plant will easily adapt to full sun positions.
• It prefers consistently moist soil, but good drainage is essential. Sodden or constantly wet soils can lead to root rot and plant failure quickly.
• Ideally, plant your Fuchsia in well-draining, fertile soil. You can improve the soil by adding compost or manure.
• Fuchsia procumbens prefers cool to mild temperatures. They are not tolerant of frost and will need protection in colder climates.