How can I protect my fuchsias in winter?
QWhat is the best way of protecting my fuchsia plants against frost this winter? I have several plants and don’t want to lose them if the cold is severe.
Lou Bowen, Dartmouth, Devon
AIf your fuchsias are hardy and growing in a border, spread wellrotted garden compost or old manure over the root area and among the stems to guard against frost. Leave the flowered shoots full length to protect plants from low temperatures.
If they are half-hardy, a frost would kill them. Cut them back to 4in (10cm) from the base and set them in pots of multipurpose compost in a frost-free greenhouse or enclosed light porch.
If you don’t have a greenhouse, move potted plants indoors, and overwinter them on windowsills in a spare room.
Alternatively, move them to a frostfree shed or garage, and tuck straw around them to protect the roots.
AI think this is a species of maranta or peperomia.
Position it on a warm, east-facing windowsill so that sunlight does not scorch the leaves. Water freely from April to October, but less so in autumn and winter when growth is slow.
Feed with a balanced feed such as Baby Bio from spring until autumn.