This deciduous terrestrial or epiphytic shrub has arching greyish branched stems that form a bushy habit. It has dull green toothed ovate leaves and the pendant reddish tube-shaped flowers appear from late spring to autumn followed by cylindrical fruit.

Hardiness zones 9 to 11

Fuchsia splendensis naturally found in southern North America growing in the cloud forests of Mexico on moss-covered branches of trees or terrestrially in oak or pine forests at an altitude from 2,000 m (6561 ft) to 3,400 m (11,154 ft).

It prefers a protected sunny to semi-shaded position and grows in moist rotted leaf mould or organic rich moist sandy soils and is pH adaptable. It is light frost tolerant but drought tender.

The Chilli Pepper Fuchsia is grown for its pendant flowers and shrubby habit. It is planted parks and gardens along borders or used in the understory in a woodland setting. It can also be grown as an epiphyte in the forks of trees and is used for a tropical effect around a water feature. It is suitable for the inland and low-mountain regions and establishes in 2-3 years and is long-lived.

This shrub is also grown in patio pots and planter boxes and in cold climates it is grown in a conservatory or as a greenhouse specimen. It is also espalier against walls or on trellises and can be used as a spill-over above retaining walls. ID 3745

Fuchsia(FUKS-ee-a) splendens (SPLEN-denz)

Onagraceae (on-uh-GRAY-see-ee)
Fuchsias, Evening Primrose Family