I describe California Fuchsia to clients as 4th of July Fireworks to clients. It’s bright, it’s red, it’s the center of attention when it’s in bloom. Bright red blooms covered in pollen welcome hummingbirds with open arms (flowers?). The native bumble bees also seem to love this flower, as you can see above. California Fuchsia flowers at a time when a lot of other plants are starting to slow down so it’s a great addition to any garden. It seems versatile in its ability to handle some shade, and tolerates dryness quite well.

Just like fireworks though, they eventually end. California Fuchsia should be cut back hard to the ground once it starts looking spent in late fall and early winter. Give it a dose of water after you cut it back. Skip the cut back on juvenile plants— I start cutting mine back after their second summer.

Finally, they do spread quite a bit. Pull out seedlings in unwanted spaces or welcome their addition to the yard.

Calscape