The genus Fuchsia contains over 100 species of flowering plants, most native to South America. Grown as garden shrubs for the plethora of small, pendulous flowers they produce, they require little care. Blooming from late spring until the first frost, fuchsias add soft color to the shady garden. Fuchsias thrive within USDA Hardiness Zones 6a to 9b. Plant your fuchsia bush after the last frost.
Choose a location to grow the fuchsia. It should get morning sun and afternoon shade.
Remove weeds from the planting area by hand-pulling them. Don't leave them sitting in the soil, as they may drop seed or regenerate.
Pour a 4-inch layer of compost onto the soil in the planting area and mix it to a depth of 8 inches.
Add two handfuls of bone meal per square yard of planting area and mix it in to a depth of 8 inches. Use the rake to level the planting area.
Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball and the same depth as the pot in which the fuchsia has been growing. Place the roots of the plant in the hole, backfill the hole with soil, and firm the soil around the base of the fuchsia with your hands or feet.
Add a 3-inch layer of mulch surrounding the fuchsia bush. Place it at least 3 inches from the base of the plant.
Water the fuchsia until the water puddles, then provide enough water to keep the soil just slightly moist. You may need to provide more water on particularly warm or windy days.
Fertilize the fuchsia weekly with an all-purpose fertilizer, at the rate suggested on the label. Always water prior to applying fertilizer.
Deadhead (pinch the flowers off) the fuchsia when flowers begin to fade and die.