Är hibiscus hardy
While tropical hibiscus is known for being easily traumatized by frost and excessive heat, hardy hibiscus (a cousin to the persnickety Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) can thrive in northern climates for years with the proper care. Do you love the look of tropical hibiscus but hate having to toss the plant on the compost pile at the end of the growing season or watch all its leaves fall off when you try to overwinter it indoors? What if I told you there was a way you could enjoy those same big, gorgeous blooms without needing to worry about what to do when cold temperatures arrive?
Say hello to the hardy hibiscus! Yes, you heard me right. Let me tell you more about this amazing perennial hibiscus. These herbaceous perennials are hybrids of a few different North American native Hibiscus species. One of the most common parents, species Hibiscus moscheutos , is a perennial hibiscus that grows in the wet soils of floodplains, marshes, and meadows. Depending on the variety, other parents could be Hibiscus syriacus , H.
Breeders recognized the merits of these plants decades ago and began to hybridize for increased bloom size and different color forms. Now, there are dozens of cultivars on the market with blooms ranging from burgundy and pink to white and bicolor. During the hybridization process, the need for damp soils was also diminished. A single hardy hibiscus plant can produce dozens of show-stopping blooms that measure up to 10 inches across.
Each flower only lasts a day or two, but when one flower dies, another bud opens for a long succession of blooms. My first experience with a hardy hibiscus was while working at a public park in Pennsylvania just after earning my horticulture degree. I was stunned when an unassuming shrub-like plant burst into bloom in mid-summer and continued blooming through September. The plant in that park produced dark wine-colored blooms, and for me, it was love at first sight.
In my current garden, I have three of these beauties. Some varieties have deep green rounded leaves with slightly serrated edges, while others produce deeply cut, maple-like leaves. I even have one with burgundy foliage. Depending on the variety, hardy hibiscus plants can grow between 3 and 6 feet tall. Each plant produces multiple, upright stems that grow from the base of the plant each spring. They are not evergreen plants, but rather they die back to the ground each winter.
The clumps increase in size each year, leading to more and more blooms over time, though do be forewarned that the plants are fairly late to emerge in the spring. They are sturdy plants that need little in terms of nutrients or fertilizer. Also known as a dinner plate hibiscus, each individual flower is between 4 and 10 inches across, depending on the variety.
Hardy Hibiscus: Care and Growing Guide
They come in shades of pink, white, burgundy, and red. Each stem produces multiple buds, most often at the top of the stem. The hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies enjoy the blooms, too. Hardy hibiscus is fully hardy in USDA zones which means the plants survive winter temperatures as low as °F. It shrugs frost off like a champ. Since it dies back to the ground each winter, there is no need to mulch the stems through the colder months.
With at least one of its parents being native to low-lying, damp soils, hardy hibiscus is a great fit for poorly drained areas. However, it also thrives in average garden soil. Amend the soil with compost prior to planting and keep the plants well-watered during times of drought. Mine are growing in my perennial beds without any extra fuss. Yes, the flowers do look a bit like the blooms of rose of Sharon, but this is a different plant species.
Select a site that receives full sun. Shadier conditions result in too-tall stems that flop under the weight of the flowers.
How to Grow and Care for Hardy Hibiscus Flowers
A minimum of 6 hours of full sun per day works, but 8 or more hours is ideal. If the plants sprawl due to lower light levels, consider using a peony ring or grow-thru plant support to keep them upright.
Some varieties are more upright and rigid while others are more rounded in form. Though this tropical-looking perennial is easy to grow, it does have two pests that can become quite bothersome. There are many different varieties of perennial hibiscus, each one with its own merits.