Fuchsias are a firm favourite with gardeners thanks to their long flowering season and masses of colourful blooms, but experts say feeding them properly is the key to getting the best display.

Speaking from her vibrant stand in the Great Pavilion at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, gold medal-winning grower and leading fuchsia specialist Eszter Nemeth, of Roualeyn Fuchsias in Conwy, North Wales, said gardeners should treat potted fuchsias differently from those planted in the ground.

She explained that plants grown in containers need more regular feeding because they quickly use up available nutrients.

“We add more potassium into the feeding regime and feed them three times a week,” she said.

“In the garden they are generally fine. If they are in the ground you can feed them twice a year, or if you have poor soil then once a month is enough.

“But if they are in pots they use up the food much faster, so we need to make sure there is enough supply during the growing period.”

Eszter added that fuchsias are also a good choice for gardeners battling pests because slugs and snails tend to leave them alone.

However, she warned that fuchsia gall mite can cause problems, particularly in southern parts of the country.

“It’s more of a problem down south. Up north where we are it’s not much of an issue,” she said.

“Pinch out the infected parts and burn them. Don’t put them in the compost because it will spread. Or put them in a bin bag and hope for a frosty winter because that will help get rid of it.”