Fuschias

[NetRunner]

Hello! I have just moved into a new home and have a garden for the first time! I am a total novice gardener but would really like to make it look nice. It has been very neglected by the previous tenants. There is a bed down one side and the main shrub seems to be a variety of different fuschias. They haven't got many flowers and look unruly so I am assuming that they haven't been pruned in a while. What do I need to do with them to make them look nice again? Also what gardening tools do I need to buy? Thank you!

The RHS website is a good starter for what to do with plants here's their fuchsia page

www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/Profile?PID=579

Don't skimp on buying cheap tools, you just end up buying more of them.
A good pair of secateurs, trowel, spade & fork and good gloves will get you started.

We bought a neglected garden and we are just starting to see real results after a period of just clearing stuff and it's fab. It's been really hard work so I'm glad it's now paying dividends.

Thank you!

Wolf Garten tools are good as you only need 2 or 3 handles, on which to fit a very wide range of tool 'heads' to cover most requirements. They may cost a bit more than some brands, but are strong and versatile.

Fuchsias are easy to grow and propagate, but they are tender in winter, and will need some protection, either in a greenhouse, garage or by covering with fleece.

You can shape them as a bush, or take off side shoots and grow them tall as a 'standard'. It is scary at first, but when the first little flower buds show, if you pinch them off you will get many more flowers in due course.

With sharp secateurs, cut out dead or diseased twigs, leaving stronger branches, which hopefully may have some leaves on and possibly even flower buds or flowers:

www.fuchsiaflower.co.uk/index.htm

www.wolfgarten-tools.co.uk/

This is fab - thank you.