Hibiscus (Rose Mallow)
Hibiscus (Rose Mallow): Available in compact 3 to 4' varieties all the way to 25'. Very profuse bloomer cultivars available from zones 5 to 10
| Hibiscus | Perennial or Shrub |
|---|---|
| Bloom Time | Mid-summer to Fall |
| Light | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Water | Moist Soil |
| Diseases | Leaf spot, gall, rust |
| Pests | Aphids, Japanese beetles, scale |
| Propagation | Division, seed |
| Color | Pink, Red, White, Yellow |
| Height | 3 - 25 feet tall |
| Zones | 5-10 |
| pH Range | 7 - 7.5 |
| Tolerances | Deer, Drought, Heat &Humidity, Pollution, Rabbits, Seashore, |
Hibiscus (Rose Mallow)
Want drama in your garden? Be sure to include one or more Hibiscus varieties in your border.
Some cultivars have blooms nearly as big as a dinner plate, and in colors that are absolutely gorgeous from deep reds to pinks, yellows, whites and a variety of others.
Each huge, funnel shaped flower lasts for just a day, but they are so abundant, the shrubs are constantly a splash of color.
The are great attractors of butterflies and are well-behaved plants. They tolerate wet soil very well and are relatively pest free if you stay on top of them a bit, Pick up spent blooms and pick wilted or yellowing leaves to keep the bush looking its best.
Hibiscus are also available in sizes from compact shrubs of 3 to 4' all the way up to a small tree variety of nearly 25 feet tall.
Most propagation of Hibiscus is done by either seeds or divisions.
If started by seed, start the seed indoors by mid-winter so you can plant them first thing in the spring. By doing this, depending on your zone and the cultivar used, you should have blooms by the first year.
If you have Hibiscus that you want to divide, plan of this operation in the spring.
Hibiscus (Rose Mallow)
The taller species make excellent background plants or accent plants in a cottage garden or a cutting garden.
Smaller varieties adapt well as houseplants that can easily be moved outdoors or on the porch during good weather.
Make sure you protect the tender roots from frost by placing a thick layer of Garden Mulch over the plants to protect them from early frost.
Hibiscus (Rose Mallow)
- Hibiscus moscheutos 'Blue River II': shows off large, 10-inch-wide pure-white blooms on 6-foot stems in midsummer to fall. Zones 5-10
- Hibiscus moscheutos 'Fireball': is one of the most stunning perennial hibiscus. It bears bold red flowers to 12 inches across on 5-foot-tall stems. It grows 3 feet wide. Zones 5-9
- Hibiscus moscheutos 'Lord Baltimore': bears 10-inch-wide bright cherry red flowers on 4-foot stems in midsummer to fall. Zones 5-10
- Hibiscus moscheutos 'Strawberry Swirl': offers creamy-pink and white flowers with a red center and maple-shape foliage. It grows 4 feet tall and wide. Zones 4-10
- Hibiscus coccineus: grows to 7-feet tall and bears brilliant red 5-inch flowers in summer. It is a dramatic plant for Zones 7-9
- Hibiscus syriacus ( Helene Rose of Sharon ):This upright, deciduous shrub is an old-time favorite found in informal borders and hedges. Growing to a height of 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide, this shrub is loved primarily for its large, to 2 1/2 inches wide, funnel-shaped blooms that resemble those of the tropical hibiscus, yet not as flashy.
If you have established plants, they can benefit greatly from fertilization. Plan of fertilizing the small tree variety once every few years. Shrubs should be fertilized on a yearly basis.
Be sure to make a soil test to determine nutrient levels in the soil. Simply add the nutrient(s) that is low to bring the soil to ideal levels.
Remember High Nitrogen (N) fertilizers will promote green leafy growth at the expense of flower bud development.
Also, do not fertilize too late in the year. You will want to avoid a flush of new foliage that does not get a chance to harden off prior to the first frost.
Hibiscus (Rose Mallow)
