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Ask a Gardening QuestionBeginner Gardening Questions & Guides: First time gardener questionsFuchsia pruning

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Fuchsia pruning

#1 · 27th February 2022, 4:52 pm

Hi everyone. I have four different fuchsia bushes in my garden, that come into bud at varying times across the spring/summer. Just wondering when is the best time to cut them back. Is the beginning of March acceptable?

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#2 · 28th February 2022, 9:36 am

Hello Tiny Garden,

I would suggest leaving your pruning until the end of March even going into April a couple of weeks, a lot depends on the area in which you live, colder parts leave alone until all frost's have gone, I live in the S/East still getting cold nights and morning frosts, and I have new growth on my Fuschias, so the end of the month I will cut right back to the lowest bud, you want to cut back to about 10cm from ground level.

I know Lee has some videos about pruning/cutting back, these on Hydrangeas and general herbaceous perennials, I'm sure these will be of help to you.

Bob

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#3 · 28th February 2022, 9:48 am

Hello again Tiny Garden,

On the pages menu, click on Lee's Blog, then look for and open Lee's Garden Advice, there is a great section there on pruning.

Bob

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#4 · 28th February 2022, 10:04 am

Hi Bob. Many thanks for your advice. I will leave until the end of month as you suggested. I will also have a look at Lee's pruning blog. ??

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#5 · 28th February 2022, 10:28 am

Hi My Tiny Garden,

Thanks for your comment on pruning hardy fuchsias in the UK.

Funnily I've just covered when to prune spring-flowering shrubs in this month's tour below.

My guidance with fuchsias is to either prune them directly after flowering, sometimes late summer or early spring if you need to tackle a more serious prune. Like Bob says in March you can prune if they have yet to bud, which late summer flowering types won't have. Fucshia Magellanica for example can tolerate a medium prune without too much distress. For other fuchsias, I'd just go light touch to shape them rather than a hard prune. Here's my beginner gardeners guide to pruning to help.