For the first year after planting California fuchsia, it is recommended to do no significant pruning. Just let the plant become established and well rooted. Hard pruning before the end of the first year may result in plants not yet being well enough rooted to grow back (S). After the plant has been in the ground and growing well for at least one year, cut back hard or all the way to the ground or an inch or two above the ground, as necessary, once it is looking spent in mid-winter to prepare for fresh Spring growth (1). Can be propagated by division in the Fall (2). California fuchsia can come up from seeds in other parts of your garden. This may be welcome. If you do not want it to spread from seed, cut back after most flowers fade, but before seed pods develop and dry (S). Most California fuchsias will slowly spread by rhizomes. If you do not wish plants to spread, pull out spreading stems as they come up. Stems are brittle and pull out easily (S). Large areas of California fuchsia, especially on commercial sites can usually be well maintained by using a string trimmer for the cut back, followed by raking out most of the cut material. We use this technique to maintain large stretches of California fuchsia in the California native planting along pathways in the park at the Waterwise Community Center (S). References