NATURE ATTRACTION – Where excess heat and humidity puts an end to fuchsia flowers, the. ‘Croftway Series’ Cape Fuchsia takes over. It will prove to be the most heat tolerant, vigorous growing, dynamic blooming, and versatile fuchsia imaginable. This new series introduced from the United Kingdom has great potential for the garden or containers.
KEY TIPS - Remove spent flowers to help encourage even more flowers. If at any time in the summer your plants get to leggy due to lack of sun, you may shear them back to half their size. They will re-bloom in about 3-5 weeks and be more compact! Cut back two thirds of plant size after the first heavy frost.
SHELF LIFE – Plant in larger pots or in garden after the night temperatures stay above 45 degrees.
PLANT PREPARATION - Unpack your plants immediately removing any packing material. Cut away any yellow or brown leaves or broken stems that may have occurred.
Water them immediately.
POTTED PLANTS- Repot the plants into larger 8 inch pots separately or together inside one larger container. You may increase pot size each spring until it is in a 15 inch container.
GARDEN PLANTING – If you live where it rarely drops below 0F, they may be planted directly into the garden as soon as evening temperatures stay above 45F. If your soil is clayish amend it with a standard garden soil for adequate drainage.
Soil- They like bagged potting mixes for houseplants that will drain well.  Most garden centers carry various brand names with perlite, vermiculite, soil and sand.
PLANTING DEPTH - Dig holes twice the width of the root ball and about 5-6 inches deep. Place them in their holes. Pack soil firmly around base of plants..
PLANTING SPACING – If planting in garden space at least 18-24 inches apart. If planting together in one container space at least 8 inches apart.
PLANT HEIGHT AND WIDTH– These grow 24-36 inches tall and 14-18 inches wide.
WATER – Water the plants thoroughly a couple times per week. Repeat all summer long. They like moisture in the soil at all times during the growing season while flowering.
FERTILIZER – This helps maintain flower size and count from year to year. For best results, use a well balanced fertilizer that promotes blooming like Roberta’s Flower Magic Plant Food (M7503) once a month in early spring through summer.
LIGHTING – Full sun or partial sun. Too little light will cause soft, limp foliage without flowers.
Blooming Time- Blooms after 8-10 weeks upon receipt and will continue to bloom throughout the summer and autumn every year.
TEMPERATURE ZONE 7 to 11- If you live where it rarely drops below 0F, you may plant these directly into your garden. In pots, they will handle less extreme temperatures to about 20F.
SPRING PINCHING – Beginning year two, spring pinching will encourage bushy growth with more flowers. Simply pinch off top growth of all stems by about 1 to 2 inches during early spring.
GROOMING- Remove spent flowers to help encourage even more flowers. If at any time in the summer your plants get to leggy due to lack of sun, you may shear them back to half their size. They will re-bloom in about 3-5 weeks and be more compact!
PRUNING – Cut back two thirds of plant size after the first heavy frost. In warm winter areas, do the same by December.
WINTERIZING – If planted in the garden, where marginally hardy, provide 5-6 inches of mulch to protect. Use straw, pine needles, leaves or other organic matter. Remove in spring.