Fuchsia 'HEIDI ANN' hardy fuchsia

Heidi Ann is a hardy fuchsia variety bred by English breeder E. Smith in 1969 as a cross between Tennessee Waltz and General Walk varieties. It produces medium large, eye-catching flowers with striking fuchsia pink tube and sepals and rich violet to purple blue, wide open corolla. Heidi Ann is compact but not too dwarf – it forms and upright and lightly outwardly spreading habit. Flowering begins in late June and peaks in late summer, usually in late August and early September when the plant is literally covered with flowers. Its corolla colour could be a puzzle - often light blue in early summer and deep purple blue in late summer.

Grow hardy fuchsias in full sun or partial shade. They need moisture from spring until they become dormant so water them freely. Mulching is recommended. However, in winter they should be kept away from wet snow and rain. Use an old plastic pot to put onto the plant upside down before the autumn rains come to keep the soil around the plant dry. Cover the plant with dry leaves or mulch and put the pot upside down onto the plant. Make sure it has holes for air circulation. Remove the pot in March and uncover the plant from mulch only after frosts. Cut back young plants, or trim lightly older plants.

Hardy outdoor fuchsias need to be grown in full sun or minimum shade. They need moisture from spring until they become dormant so water them freely. Mulching is recommended. It is true that they hate winter wet yet they should not dry out in long and dry winters. They are not fussy about soil pH. They need well-drained, humus-rich soil. Hardiness oscillates around -21°C.

Last update 06-02-2018