Ricartonii Fuschia

[Sunnyside]

Hey everyone, i am new to this forum, but have been growing plants for around 8 years. I used to be a vegetable only grower, but last year i gave in to some flowers. I bought a small Ricartonii Fuschia, because i heard they are hardy. I live in zone 6b. I put in a 5 gallon pot because i was skeptical about it surviving. I left it in that pot all winter, and it came back this year, but this was a very mild winter for us, only about -5f at the max. But sometimes we get -10 to -15f. i thought that might be a bit too cold. I am sure it come back from the crown, but my goal is a huge bush. Would it survive, or should i keep it a pot year round, and put it in the garage in winter? Thanks in advance!

 

[Meadowlark]

Howdy @Sunnyside

Your description of how your gardening journey has evolved matches mine as well. For decades, I was only a veggie grower but over the last few years, I have gotten into flowers, butterflies, bees and all that stuff. Native plants are especially interesting to me...but the veggies are still number 1 here.

Looking at some research yes, you seem to be right on the edge with -5 to -10 deg F the lower limit for tolerance. Since you want a huge bush, I would tend toward putting it in the ground and mulching/protecting the heck out of it if cold below tolerance threatens. I think I would plant it close enough to electric power source where I could deploy a heat lamp or equivalent when necessary.

The container size of 5 gallon is too small to get that huge bush you want...I'd guess you need a 25 to 30 gallon at least and that size can become somewhat difficult to move to protection...so instead I'd plant it in favorable soil and take the protection to it...just my 2 cents.

 

[Sheal]

Welcome Sunnyside.

You are more likely to lose it over wintering in a pot, so my suggestion is to get it in the ground after flowering. This will give it time to establish its roots before winter. Below is my go to site from the Royal Horticultural Society here in Britain - if I need to check the details of a specific plant. They've not let me down yet. It suggests hardiness down to -20C/-4F.

Fuchsia 'Riccartonii' | fuchsia 'Riccartonii' Shrubs/RHS

Find help & information on Fuchsia 'Riccartonii' fuchsia 'Riccartonii' Shrubs from the RHS

www.rhs.org.uk