Has my fushia died?

I have a fushia in a pot that looks like it has died in the frosts. My question is how would I know if it's just sleeping over winter, should I maybe prune it a bit now in case it's still alive, or just leave it be and see what happens? It was a gift so I don't know anything about it, but it had been flowering up until quite recently and was looking pretty good until the snow came! Any thoughts would be really welcome...

 

Hi Helen,

Depends on which type it is. If you are unsure just leave it until about March-ish. If you haven't seen any new growth buds by then I would say it's a goner, I would still give it a chance though even then and plant it somewhere inconspicuous just to see if it is late starter.


It's perfectly normal for them to look awful at the moment.

 

As lollipop says - it depends on the type - some are reasonably hardy, some not. However it may grow back. Under the bark on the woody bits there are loads of latent buds, and the hardier types will sprout again from these even though the top growth appears to be dead.

One test is to scrape away a bit of bark with your nail. If the stem underneath is green and moist - it is still alive. But if the stem is brown and lifeless, its dead.

 

Hi Helen, I think you will just have to exercise a little patience and see what happens.
I would hold on to the plant. Come spring, if it is alive buds will break from the stems if they are healthy. Even if the top growth has been killed it may break from underground. Don't be too hasty to decide it's a goner. Good luck.

 

Sadly there is much less chance of it surviving if it was in a pot outside than if it was planted in a border. Even 'hardy' varieties can be killed if the root is thoroughly frozen