Fuchsia 'Alice Hoffman' (d)

Common name: Fuchsia 'Alice Hoffman'

Description: This charming compact hardy fuchsia has been a garden favourite since the 1920s, valued for its reliable performance and profuse flowering. The small but abundant semi-double flowers feature rose-pink sepals and white petals flushed with pink, creating a delicate bicolour effect. Flowering begins in early summer and continues relentlessly until the first frosts, providing months of continuous colour. The small, dark bronzy-green foliage provides an attractive backdrop to the flowers and has purple undertones that intensify in cool weather. The naturally compact, bushy habit makes this ideal for the front of borders, containers, or low edging. This is one of the hardiest fuchsias available, reliably surviving UK winters in most areas with minimal protection. The continuous flowering and compact size make this an outstanding choice for small gardens or where space is limited.

Other benefits: very long flowering season, compact habit, one of the hardiest fuchsias, excellent for containers, low maintenance, bronze-tinted foliage

Wildlife attraction: bees, hummingbird hawk-moths, pollinators

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 0.5m x 0.5m

Position: full sun to partial shade; tolerates a wide range of positions

Soil pH: adaptable to most soils; performs well in neutral to slightly acidic conditions

Moisture: moderate watering required; prefers consistently moist but well-drained soil; benefits from mulching

Winter hardiness: very cold hardy to -15°C; one of the hardiest fuchsias