[Springlands]

OH planted six hardy fuchsia plants last year and they did really well - lots of nice flowers even though it was their first  year.  In mid March they were just starting to develop new leaves and looked as if they had survived the winter. The came the awful weather at the end of March - we had days and days of hail, sleet, snow and horrible salt laden winds. Now the fuchsia just look dead - the leaves have been totally burnt off. Even the large established plant looks a bit ragged.

The only thing that I can think of at present is to keep them well watered and give them a good feed but any other suggestions gratefully received.

[yorky]

The top growth of even hardy Fuchsias is never fully hardy, its the roots that survive the winter and then send up new growth in the spring. The normal practice is to wait untill you see the new shoots at the base then cut all the old stems back to the base.

So I would say that your plants should be okay and new shoots will come from the roots once this weather warms up a bit.

[Spana]

My hardy fuchsia's look the same Springlands, all top growth appears dead.  A lot of my hydrangeas have suffered in the last weeks as well. I think all we can do now is what  yorky suggests and wait and hope and cut out the dead stuff if they shoot from the base. But if it does turn very cold again i would ease up on the watering. Frost, wet ground, and roots is not a good combination.
My hardy fuchsias were new last year as well. I've lost lot of plants this year, much more than ever before. It was the icy wind that did it for mine   

[Auntiemogs]

Do you have a picture Springlands?  I only say this as I was told by a garden centre that my cherry bay was wind burned when in fact I had the (to me anyway) dreaded vine weevil...

[Springlands]

No pics Aunty Mogs but I am as sure as I can be that it is all down to windburn - some of the other plants in the garden are also suffering but not as bad as the fuchsia plants which were just planted last year.

Spana - those icy winds this year have have really, really caused havoc so I feel for you regarding your plants - my hydrangeas are also suffering. Unfortunately I have no choice regarding the watering - it is pouring here and due to keep on doing so for the next few days - cannot complain too much the grass really needs it.

[mumofstig]

The recent cold winds have burned/stripped all the new leaves from the climbing roses around the door - I've never seen that happen before 

[Silkychicks]

Normally as soon as the weather picks up juices start to flow. When it gets cold again juices slow down.
So it is possible that it wasn't just the cold.

That is good for good hopes chances are bigger buds will turn green or the plant will start making new branches, like yorky said.

The buds of my hydrangea turned black due to -15 degree winds and now they are green again. 

[Springlands]

No new branches on the fuchsia plants but I can see small red buds on the existing branches - there is hope yet for their survival. 

[sunshineband]

No new branches on the fuchsia plants but I can see small red buds on the existing branches - there is hope yet for their survival. 

Oh good 

That is when I usually prune mine down to buds near the soil, as otherwise they get very congested. New shoots might still appear from underground too

[mumofstig]

Has she been digging holes again? 

[sunshineband]

Has she been digging holes again? 

 

She is chasing the local voles perhaps 

[Springlands]

    She would be welcome to do some digging in my garden - very far behind this year.   

[mumofstig]

I dunno - any excuse and she's digging again!