Quick Guide: summer, hardy, full sun, height:90cm/3ft, width: 90cm/3ft

So-called greenhouse fuchsias will not survive the winter outdoors. Fortunately there are a number of hardy fuchsias with the beautiful characteristic bell-like flowers which make decorative bushes or hedges. In cold districts they may die back above ground in winter, but shoot up afresh the next spring.

GROWING Plant in early summer when there is no longer any danger of night frost, in well-drained soil previouslv enriched with peat or leaf-mould. A sheltered spot is best. Water well in dry weather. In cold districts, cut the plants back to ground level in the autumn and sprinkle a shovelful of coarse grit around the crown before the first frosts. In warmer areas, simply cut out damaged wood in spring.

PROPAGATION Take 10cm/4in tip cuttings without flower buds in spring. Insert in individual pots of a peat/sand mixture at 16°C/61°F. Pot on when rooted and pinch out both leading and lateral shoots frequently to encourage bushy growth. Overwinter at 13°C/55°F and plant out in early summer.

SPECIES Fuchsia magellanica, hardiest species, about 1.Sm/Sft, more as hedging in mild areas; crimson and purple flowers. Varieties include `Gracilis', slender leaves and flowers; `Gracilis Versicolor', beautifully variegated leaves; `Pumila', only 15cm/6in; `Alba', pale pink. flowers; `Mrs Popple' (above) profusion of large flowers.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Generally trouble-free.