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Fuchsia 'Lady Boothby' - Over wintering.

the_ropley_gardenerthe_ropley_gardener Posts: 6
in Plants
We have 3 of these climbing fuchsias and how lovely they look too. Each planet is about 5ft tall and the time has come to consider their overwintering requirements. What should I do? I ask because naturally I have looked the plants up on the www but the information I find is either a bit vague or contradictory. Mention has been made of covering with a protective fleece - but does that mean the entire plant (difficult and perhaps unsightly!) or just the root base? Not at all clear from what I've read so would be grateful for any clear cut advice particularly about cutting back etc too if appropriate. Thank you, Michael.

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    The RHS lists it as hardiness class H4, "hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)" so if they were in the ground, they'd be fine unless you're in a particularly cold location. Because they're in pots, the roots will be more prone to cold damage so it might be wise to wrap the sides and tops with something to insulate them, maybe bubble wrap or fleece (not underneath, you don't want to impede the drainage).
    Like most hardy fuchsias, they'll lose their leaves and some of the top growth will probably die off, unless you're in an exceptionally mild spot. Leave the top growth on over winter, and when they start regrowing in spring, prune them down to wherever the new leaves are coming (or lower, if you prefer).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    I agree with Jenny's advice but would also mention slightly raising the pot off the ground if possible to help with drainage.
    I can't tell from the picture if you have tied the plant into the support and if you haven't then you could move it next a house wall for more protection. We grow Boothby ourselves and it's been pretty hardy for us so I wouldn't overly coddle it. It has had dieback after winter cold but it's sprung back vigorously in the spring.  
  • the_ropley_gardenerthe_ropley_gardener Posts: 6
    Thank you both. The plants are tied against the framework in the picture so moving them would not be practicable. I will lift the pots off the ground as advised. We are in Southern Hampshire so hopefully not excessively cold. 

    Jennyl - when you say wrap the sides and tops with bubble wrap I assume you mean just the pot itself? Just want to be clear in my own mind. 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Yes, I meant the pots, although in Hampshire you might be OK unless you get an unusually cold snap.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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