Would a fuchsia go here?

madpenguin · February 2022

I intend to remove my wildlife ponds soon as it has not really been a success.
It is always covered in duckweed, leaves falling from nearby shrubs making it smell no matter how often I remove it, plants round the edge are flattened as the local cats sit on the edge to drink and last year a hedgehog drowned in it, despite the fact it had an escape route.
I have a much larger goldfish pond which is a success.
Once I have removed the ponds (1 large and 1 small plastic barrel) I am left with a raised bed for planting and am wondering what would be suitable.Very hot and sunny in the summer and fairly sheltered.
Want a smallish shrub that can be cut hard back but fills the space for the summer.
Thinking about a fuchsia maybe?
Small bright flowered,not a blowsy one.
Any other suggestions?

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Borderline · February 2022

Fuchsias tend to prefer a semi shaded spot over the summer months. How about something like Caryopteris x Clandonensis. Flowers in late summer and takes well to being pruned back every year. Provided soil is free draining and sunny, it could do well there.

madpenguin · February 2022

I had thought it might be too hot for a fuchsia.
Caryopteris x Clandonensis looks a good choice,nice that it flowers later in the year.
'Dark Knight' seems a nice one.
One for the list I think!

B3 · February 2022

I have a large magellanica which does well in my south facing front garden. I don't know the variety but it's the same as the one you see growing in the wild sometimes

Joyce Goldenlily · February 2022

I have a species Fuschia growing against a South facing wall of the house, it does have very damp soil to live in. I have no idea what it is as I acquired it as a cutting from my sister. It is a very bright orange flower, single, quite large for a species type and a floriferous flowerer from August until the frosts finish it off in late winter. I cut it right back each year to stop it overhanging the path too much.
The colour is brilliant, the leaves are slightly furry and have a tinge of purple in them. I love it, it positively glows when in full flower.

Fairygirl · February 2022

What a shame about the pond[s] though @madpenguin - especially the hog

It's always harder when it's a deep container. Perhaps you could just have a shallow watering hole of some kind somewhere else? Even an old seed tray or similar would work if you don't want to make one using a liner or similar, although that works well if you want it more natural. Any water source for wildlife is beneficial.

I had a round tray I used for covering a large container that was my Dad's. It has sentimental value, but it would have been impossible to make holes in, to use for plants. I added some stones/rocks so that it would be fine for bees/wasps etc as well as birds. It was well used

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Gearóid · February 2022

I have fuchsias happily growing in full sun against a wall, also in shade, light soil, rich soil, dry soil etc. I've always found them to be unfussy.

JennyJ · February 2022

I've found that fuchsias will take full sun (particularly the stronger colours, the reds and purples) but it's a bit of a waste of a sunny spot.

I also thought of caryopteris, or one of the larger shrubby salvias.

madpenguin · February 2022

Fairygirl said:

What a shame about the pond[s] though @madpenguin - especially the hog
It's always harder when it's a deep container. Perhaps you could just have a shallow watering hole of some kind somewhere else? Even an old seed tray or similar would work if you don't want to make one using a liner or similar, although that works well if you want it more natural. Any water source for wildlife is beneficial.

I had a round tray I used for covering a large container that was my Dad's. It has sentimental value, but it would have been impossible to make holes in, to use for plants. I added some stones/rocks so that it would be fine for bees/wasps etc as well as birds. It was well used

I do have a large pond and bird baths etc round the garden so wildlife is still catered for

The barrels were replacements for a small shallow pond but that had the same problems,probably just not the best position overall.

Fairygirl · February 2022

Ah - fair enough @madpenguin.
Yes, probably just not the right thing for your site. My sister had a similar thing in her garden, and it was never right. It was completely the wrong spot for a tiny pond.

A good planting site for you though, so not a disaster

Lizzie27 · February 2022

How about a small spiraea? I bought a lovely apricot flowered one last year which was really pretty (sorry, can't remember the name off-hand).

Would a fuchsia go here?

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