Meet the tropical-looking plant with dinner plate-size blossoms that can thrive for years in cooler climates.
If you picture a tropical flower, there’s a good chance hibiscus comes to mind.
This eye often appears indeep red, which makes a bold statement against some of the paler-toned petals.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
In cooler climates, choose the sunniest location to plant your hibiscus.
In warmer climates, choosing a spot with shelter from the harshest afternoon sun may be best.
They also make fantastic foundation plantings along the side of a structure or when used as a flowering hedge.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
you could plant nursery-grown hardy hibiscus or transplant dormant hardy hibiscus in the spring or early fall.
Hold the plant steady and add the soil back, tamping it down gently as you work.
Light
Hardy hibiscus plants require at least 6 hours of full sun each day to bloom prolifically.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
This could mean planting your hardy hibiscus in a south-facing garden spot in cooler climates to maximize exposure.
They will, however, tolerate a soil pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
Hardy hibiscus plants do not like to dry out too much.
Credit: Denny Schrock
In fact, they can take quite a bit of water and can grow in marshy conditions as well.
In the winter, your hibiscus plant willdie backto the ground and enter dormancy.
This is normal and allows the roots to withstand the winter chill.
Credit: Paul Vandevelder
The best time tofertilize your hardy hibiscusis in the spring after new growth emerges.
This will help your hibiscus enter dormancy and protect its root system through the winter months.
Prepare your new container by filling it partway with ahigh-quality potting mix.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Fill in the rest of the soil and gently tamp it down to remove the air pockets.
Hardy hibiscus can also suffer shock from excess root disturbance, so avoid transplanting yours unless necessary.
If you must move yours to a new container, do so midspring after new growth emerges.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Water the plant thoroughly for at least 1 to 2 days before the move and prepare the new pot.
Dig the trench outward from the stem and down until you’re able to lift the root ball.
Place the plant in its new container with the crown at the same level as in its previous pot.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Add a layer of mulch and water the plant every few days for 4 to 6 weeks.
Most of these can be deterred with the use of insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Cover the seeds just slightly and place them in a warm, sunny area.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Keep the growing medium moist until the seeds start to germinate.
Keep the soil evenly moist but not wet for approximately eight weeks.
Once the plant is rooted, it can be transplanted into a larger pot.
Credit: Mike Jensen
Types of Hardy Hibiscus
People are always wanting more of these tropical-looking, hardy plants.
Luckily, breeders are constantly improving hardy hibiscus and adding more colors to the palette.
It is hardy in Zones 5-10.
Credit: John Reed Forsman
‘Fireball’ Hibiscus
Hibiscus moscheutos’Fireball' is one of the most stunning perennial hibiscus plants.
It bears bold red flowers up to 12 inches across on 5-foot-tall stems.
It grows 3 feet wide in Zones 5-9.
Credit: Clint Farlinger
Hibiscus makinoi
Hibiscus makinoishows off large pink flowers that span up to 5 inches wide.
It is hardy in Zones 5-10.
This hibiscus plant grows just 3 feet tall and wide in Zones 5-10.
Its 8-inch, deep burgundy flowers bloom from midsummer to fall in Zones 5-10.
This hibiscus plant loves moist soil and grows 10 feet tall and 4 feet wide in Zones 6-11.
This hibiscus plant grows 4 feet tall and wide in Zones 4-10.
It is a large plant, growing 4 to 6 feet tall.
Closely related, hardy ageratum is a spreading plant that grows to only 2 feet tall.
Another relative, white snakeroot, reaches 4 to 5 feet tall.
All are great for naturalistic orcottage plantingsand for attracting butterflies.
Site miscanthus with good drainage and plenty of space in sun or light shade.
It grows best in some shade and is a good choice for heavy, wet soils.
It tolerates full sun with adequate moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quite possibly, you’ve done nothing wrong.
If it is still early spring don’t fret just yet.
With proper care,Hibiscus moscheutosplants can live as long as 15 to 20 years.
Hibiscus blooms that are ready to fall but trapped by leaves or stems can cause the stem to rot.
