Bella Laura Fuchsia

Bella Laura Fuchsia (Fuchsia x hybrida 'Bella Laura') is a compact, semi-trailing fuchsia 30 to 45cm tall and wide, with double flowers: a frill of white petals beneath a contrasting red cap and red stamens. It is bred for baskets and pots, and it flowers so freely that the plant looks covered in tiny cancan dancers.

Why you'll love it

• A double flower. A ruffled white skirt of petals sits beneath a red cap, which gives a fuller, more layered flower than a single fuchsia.
• Strong red and white contrast. Red outer petals and stamens against white give a very showy effect even from a distance.
• Semi-trailing habit. Stems arch outwards, so a basket gets extra flowers around the rim.
• Bushy and free-flowering. Blooms hang from the stem ends right through the growing season.
• Pet friendly. Fuchsias are generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Where it works best

Hanging baskets. Its ruffled flowers show best at eye level. One plant suits a 25 to 30cm basket in bright shade.

Patio and balcony pots. Use it in a pot on a sheltered patio or balcony, where it gets some morning sun and protection from hot afternoons.

Shady garden beds. Plant 30cm apart along a path edge or the front of a dappled-shade bed, with ferns and hostas for company.

Growing Bella Laura Fuchsia in Australia

Position and climate. Part sun or shade, with shelter from hot midday sun. Fuchsias are a popular subtropical-garden shrub, and Bella Laura suits subtropical and warm temperate gardens and cool temperate summers. It is frost tender, so in cold climates bring it indoors over winter or grow it as seasonal colour.

Soil. Use a rich, free-draining potting mix, or improve garden soil with compost. A layer of mulch keeps the roots cool in summer.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks. Water regularly through the growing season and feed with a liquid fertiliser, or add a slow release fertiliser in spring and again in summer.

Pruning. In winter, cut the plant back, reduce the watering and shelter it in a cool, shady, frost-free spot. Pinch out the growing tips in spring for bushier growth.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Bella Laura Fuchsia as tube stock (a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly) and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes are the economical way to fill several baskets, and the 140mm pots give you a larger plant that flowers sooner. Plants arrive upright and small, and they settle quickly in mild weather. Flowers build as the new growth lengthens.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Flowering plants for Australian gardens
• Plants for balconies
• Plants for partial shade
• Frost tolerant plants for colder districts

Common questions

Are the flowers really double?

Yes. Laura has a frill of white petals beneath a red cap of outer petals, with red stamens inside, which gives a layered, ruffled look.

Does it need a lot of sun?

No. It prefers part sun or shade with shelter from hot midday sun, and it flowers well in dappled light.

What do I do in winter?

It is frost tender. Cut it back, reduce watering and keep it in a cool, shady, frost-free place until spring, or treat it as seasonal colour in cold climates.