Marianne's Response

Transplant Large Hardy Fuchsia?

In the photo, I have a very large hardy light pink fuchsia (yellow circle – don’t know the name) that I never expected to get this big when I planted it where it is in this photo. If I had known it would respond so well where it is, I would have put it in the corner. In the front red circle is a variegated Bear’s Breeches that was in the corner that I mistakenly thought had died because I didn’t realize it went completely dormant over winter and the following spring I saw no sign of it so I bought a Brunnera (barely visible in blue circle in the back corner) to put in its place only to discover the Bear’s Breeches roots that I dug up and moved to the front in case it was still alive – and it was, to my surprise. So, my question is, can I move that very large fuchsia to the corner without killing it, and rearrange the Brunnera and Bear’s Breeches by expected size out in front of the fuchsia?

Posted by Debbie Nighswonger on October 18, 2020

Marianne's Response

What a lovely garden you have. Plus you are learning a lot about plants that go dormant. I say yes, you can dig up and move the hardy fuchsia but wait until spring to do this. Then in May or when the plant begins to leaf out you can water well the night before,  then dig around the roots and try to pop the plant out of the ground and set it onto a tarp or sheet of cardboard. Drag it to its new home and replant immediately. Then just keep the soil moist as it settles in. Don't' worry if you damage any of the branches. You may just want to cut the fuchsia back by one half to make it easier to manage. Be sure to put a mulch of leaves or straw or bark on top of the fuchsia this fall. A late fall mulch could save the hardy fuchsia if you experience a really cold winter.  Once the fuchsia is gone go ahead and and move the other plants if necessary. I might suggest growing the Acanthus in a pot to raise it up to be better seen. It is a very dramatic plant with those huge variegated leaves. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti