If fuchsias are grown in open ground in full sun, ie in the garden, then the roots are kept cool because they are under soil level and have a 'free' root run, so automatically search deeper for coolness/wetness.

Another factor is 'which variety of fuchsia' some are more heat tolerant than others, be they grown in the ground or in pots/containers.

When grown in hanging pots, tubs, containers etc, it is a different story. This is just an example to explain it simply .

Imagine a fuchsia in a plastic hanging pot/standing plastic pot/plastic container (most people use these because they are light and cheap) in full sun. The plastic gets so hot, it literally burns the roots which are laying against the inner edge of the pot, then the plant deteriorates.

You can counteract all this a bit if you were thinking about growing a standard in a pot.

First of all after you have purchased it, put it into a clay pot. Next, drop the whole thing into another clay pot that is at least two sizes bigger. Fill the space between the two pots with soil of some sort, doesn't really matter what, and keep this soil wet, this will in turn keep the roots of your standard cool.

BUT, also remember, some fuchsia plants can take the sun better than others, especially the older varieties, a lot of these 'so called beautiful new ones' can't, the reason is, mostly, they haven't been tried and tested long enough before they are put on the market - as you can appreciate a lot of people do not like me saying this, but I can assure it's true

On the other hand if you are planting, eg, a mixed container, other than plastic, they do have a better chance, even if grown in full sun.

Hope I haven't confused you Penny, and this is a bit of help for you.

It was supposed to be sunny today, I'm still waiting for it to really dry-up and the sun to come through those clouds

 

Kath
UK - Zone 8

"Patience is a virtue"