Hardy Fuchsia Pruning

What This Service Involves

Hardy fuchsias are a Pacific Northwest favorite, flowering for months on the current season's growth, which means they are pruned in spring rather than fall. We deliberately leave the old top growth in place over winter, since it insulates the crown and roots through our occasional cold snaps and wet freezes. Once new buds break at the base in spring, typically around April, we cut the old stems back to that fresh growth or nearly to the ground. This spring cutback removes winter-damaged wood, encourages strong bushy regrowth, and sets the plant up for a long, generous bloom season into fall.

Benefits

Encourages vigorous new growth and a long summer-to-fall bloom; Leaves winter top growth to protect the crown through PNW cold; Removes winter-damaged and dead wood in spring; Maintains a bushy, full form on current-season wood; Times the cutback to emerging buds for a strong start

Our Process

1) Leave old top growth over winter for crown protection; 2) Wait until new buds break at the base in spring; 3) Cut old stems back to the fresh growth or near ground level; 4) Remove any dead or winter-damaged wood; 5) Mulch the crown and clear all clippings

What Affects the Cost

Plant size and number of hardy fuchsias; Amount of winter dieback to remove; Whether cut to the ground or to live buds; Access and placement in the landscape; Debris removal

Best Time of Year

In Western Washington, leave hardy fuchsia growth over winter and cut it back to emerging basal buds in spring (around April) once new growth appears.