It depends on what type it is/ was Annel. Lots of fuchsias sold for hanging baskets and so on are not hardy and will be dead if you left them outside. Other varieties, like Fuchsia magellanica, are tough and are growing already. And others again are of in-between hardiness, so the top growth will be dead, but the roots may still be alive. These are just beginning to shoot again, or are still making up their minds whether to grow or not.

There is nothing you can do about it now - fuchsias that might have survived the winter if you'd brought them under cover have either succumbed to the cold weather, or not. Wait until at least mid June before giving up hope on the in-betweeners as sometimes they decide to chose life when you've given up hope.

I've had one for 18 years that I keep putting to bed for the winter and wonder if it'll survive. I'm pleased to see that it is sprouting yet again this Spring. I do have a newer one I bought which was supposed to be hardy and so far that one is not showing any signs of growth, so I need to be patient and see what happens.

I spent the whole of the late autumn,winter and new year in hospital and my fuchsias had to fend for themselves in the worst snow ever - even the garden centre hanging baskets. I cut them all back about a month ago and I have only lost one in a pot - the rest are all sprouting.

I only grow hardy varieties and they are all showing signs of growth now. Even ten plants of 'Preston Guild', which is borderline hardy, have all survived

My 'Lady Boothby' should be showing signs of growth by now, but isn't. :-(

I thought I had lost all my Thumb family and Alice Hoffman but they are just showing now. I panic about them every year and so far they have always shown up eventually.

Beattie - my 'Lady Boothby', growing in full shade on heavy clay, is still alive. Did you try talking to yours? :-)

I talk to her from time to time - mostly telling her to pull her socks up. Do you think I should be kinder and more understanding? :-)

Definitely - we all respond to a bit of encouragement