Fuchsia 'Tom Thumb'

Nice non gardener Spritz ....do you give this some protection over winter ?

I wish I had a few non-gardener friends like that.

lucky you barbara, i wish to toto lol

I haven't planted it in the garden, because of the time of year - so I shall take it into the greenhouse when frosts are forecast. It's meant to be a hardy one!

It is hardy. And a lovely one that doesn't grow very tall. Nice for a border or rockary. Great that the non gardener gave it to you. You'll be pleased with it. It flowers profusely :o)

Would you advise me to plant it out now, then, Hywel?

It might be better to keep it in the pot for winter. Maybe it's roots will not be able to anchor it enough in the soil if we have gales. Also if it has been kept indoors it will not be used to braving the weather. However if you do plant it out I think it would survive. Make sure you plant it rather deeper than it is in the pot. It is said this helps protect it from the worst frost.

So my first reaction was probably the right one, then. Is it OK to let it die back naturally in the greenhouse? I don't want to chop off all the pretty flowers! :-((

Let it die back at it's own pace. I never do mine until end of November. They die back naturally and I think that is better for them than being forced.
Subsequent years in the garden it will not need taking in for winter.

Thanks, Hywel. I always know who to ask about Fuchsias! :-)

I'm always nervous about giving advice, because I only say what works for me in the conditions I have here. Other places are different and I always wonder if my advice is correct.
Generally though, this fuchsia is hardy and it's usually best to plant them a bit deeper than they are in the pot.
I always say I never put my fuchsias in until mid November at the earliest, but maybe I'd have to do it sooner if I lived further north or east. I always hope people will realise this.

Brill free gift.

A nice man - my daughter's father-in-law!

i agree with hywell, i have this and aldy thumb and they do brill. there are some in pots [into greenhouse] and some in the ground . they are very floriferous.

This is a beauty Barbara. looking very healthy

So far, so good, Docbob! My forte is NOT fuchsias, though.

Well you have had lots of good advice on here.

Yes, exactly! SUCH an excellent resource! :-)