Epacris Species, Fuchsia Heath, Native Fuchsia

Have a ?
Have tried many, many times to grow this plant in my area with no success.
Live in zone 9 and have been buying the...Read Morem at area garden centers.
What seems to be my problem? They bloom and last in the garden till all blooms are gone and then the plant dies?
Thanks for any info u can give me?
P. Stapleton

This genus of heath-like shrubs contains 38 species from Australia and New Zealand. They are wiry-stemmed evergreens with small, crowded,...Read More sometimes prickly leaves and tubular or star-shaped flowers. Those with tubular flowers are reminiscent of the showy southern African ericas. Cultivated species may grow to around 5' high but are usually clipped back to keep them tidy.
CULTIVATION: They thrive in moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soil in sun or part-shade. They will tolerate occasional light frosts, but prefer a warm-temperate climate. Propagate from seed in spring or from cuttings in summer.

E longiflora: This species from eastern Australia blooms in spring and summer and has 1 1/2" red tubular flowers with white tips. The pendulous blooms hang from the undersides of the stems and may occur in such profusion that the branches bend under their weight. The 1/2", roughly diamond-shaped leaves have sharp tips.
Zones 9-11
(Bontanica Encyclopedia)