The Flower Bin

  How to Plant and Care for Hardy Hibiscus

Now is the time to add amazing color to your perennial garden. Blooming from midsummer until the first frost, hardy hibiscus brings a tropical look to the garden with its large, colorful flowers. Hardy hibiscus, also known as Hibiscus moscheutos or rose mallow, belongs to the mallow family, Malvaceae, and is hardy to Zone 5.

Hardy vs. Tropical Hibiscus

Hardy hibiscus is different from tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), which is not winter-hardy in our zone. Although the flowers and foliage may look similar, tropical hibiscus will not survive cold winters outdoors.

Tropical varieties, such as Tradewinds Sunny Wind, make colorful additions to patios and decks during summer. When temperatures drop, move them indoors to enjoy their tropical appearance through fall and winter.

Choosing the Right Planting Site

Once established, standard hardy hibiscus can grow up to 6 feet tall and 6 feet wide, so allow plenty of space when selecting a planting location. If your garden has limited room, choose a dwarf variety, which typically reaches about 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide.

Hardy hibiscus plants perform best in full sun. Choose a garden site where the plant will receive as much sunlight as possible. They can tolerate partial shade, such as an east-facing location, but flowering may be reduced.

Soil Preparation and Planting

Hardy hibiscus prefers well-drained soil. Prepare the planting site by mixing your existing soil at about 50:50 with a locally produced amendment, such as Earth Essentials Sheep, Peat, and Compost. Add root stimulator to the planting hole to encourage strong root growth. If planted now, hardy hibiscus should bloom this season.

Hardy hibiscus flowers only last a day, but the flower production will go on for the rest of the growing season.

Around Thanksgiving, apply a two-to-three-inch layer of mulch. This will help keep the ground stable and retain moisture. Water the root ball occasionally during the winter.   

  

Hardy hibiscus plants are among the last perennials to emerge in the summer, so have patience and give them plenty of time. Too often, people think the plant has died over the winter when in fact it's still alive, just dormant and slow to make an appearance.

Planting hardy hibiscus will add unique color to your garden landscape for many seasons to come.