{"product_id":"bella-maria-fuchsia-fuchsia-x-hybrida-bella-maria","title":"Bella Maria Fuchsia - Fuchsia x hybrida 'Bella Maria'","description":"\u003cp\u003eBella Maria Fuchsia (\u003cem\u003eFuchsia x hybrida\u003c\/em\u003e 'Bella Maria') is a low, bushy fuchsia of 30 to 45cm that suits baskets, pots and the front of a shaded bed. Red outer petals flare around a dark purple bell, and round buds swell and pop open into perky flowers. Semi-trailing stems add extra blooms around the edge of a container.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRich colour contrast.\u003c\/strong\u003e Red outer petals open like a star around a deep purple inner bell, a bold pairing that reads clearly from across a patio.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSemi-trailing for more flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e The stems arch outwards, so a basket carries flowers around the rim as well as across the top.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRounded and compact.\u003c\/strong\u003e It keeps a tidy 30 to 45cm shape, which makes it an easy partner for other small shade plants in a mixed pot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour where light is limited.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dappled shade and shelter from midday sun suit it, which opens up covered patios and shaded entries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMoves with the seasons.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is small enough to carry indoors when frost threatens, so the same plant can flower again next year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVerandah and balcony pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e Group several pots on a step or ledge for a block of red and purple. Use a free draining potting mix and keep them out of strong afternoon sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHanging baskets.\u003c\/strong\u003e The arching stems spill over the edge as the plant grows, so a single plant fills out the basket as it grows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShaded garden edges.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 40cm apart at the front of a bed under trees or beside a fence on the shadier side, with mulch around the roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndoors for a season.\u003c\/strong\u003e A bright spot away from direct sun brings colour inside, then the plant can go back out once the weather settles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Bella Maria Fuchsia in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose part sun or shade, sheltered from hot midday sun. Maria is frost tender: gardens in subtropical and warm temperate areas can keep it outside in a protected position, while cold climates should bring it indoors for winter or treat it as seasonal colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e A free draining potting mix suits containers, and in the ground a bed with plenty of compost works well. Mulch around the plant so the roots stay cool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep it regularly watered through the growing season and feed with a liquid fertiliser, or use a slow release fertiliser in spring and again in summer. Allow around 12 weeks for a new plant to establish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut the plant back in winter, ease off the watering and rest it in a cool, shady, frost free place. New growth follows in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBella Maria Fuchsia comes as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, or in 140mm pots in packs of 10, which suit anyone filling a row of baskets or a shaded border. Tubes arrive small and leafy, so pot them on promptly and give them a few weeks to build up. The 140mm plants start with more growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-balconies\"\u003ePlants for balconies and verandahs\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-partial-shade\"\u003eBrowse plants for partial shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/tubestock\"\u003eTubestock plants by the tube\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/shade-gardening-with-brisbane-plant-nursery-guide\"\u003eShade gardening: what to plant where\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan Bella Maria go in the garden, or only in pots?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth. It was bred for containers, but it grows well at the front of a bed in dappled shade. Mulch it and water regularly until it settles, which takes around 12 weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I feed it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse a liquid fertiliser regularly through the growing season, or a slow release fertiliser in spring and again in summer. Pick one approach rather than doing both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for cats and dogs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFuchsias are generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs. A pet chewing any plant can still get an upset stomach, so hang baskets out of reach.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787222188351,"sku":"FUC-HYB-BELLAM-tube","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67787222221119,"sku":"FUC-HYB-BELLAM-140MM-P10","price":201.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/bella-maria-fuchsia-fuchsia-x-hybrida-bella-maria.jpg?v=1792152719","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/bella-maria-fuchsia-fuchsia-x-hybrida-bella-maria","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}