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| Cold Hardy Hibiscus Comes In A Variety of Colors |
This perennial is great for border plantings, used singly as a specimen plant or very effectively in a mass planting mixed with other perennials and annuals.
Let’s forget all plant nomenclature associated with this plant variety which is in the mallow family, Hibiscus moscheutos (Swamp-rose Mallow or Rose mallow) and other Hibiscus varieties. There are too many hybrids and Hibiscus varieties , which have been cross-pollinated with H. moschentos to produce a wide selection of hardy Hibiscus flower colors.
When shopping for this plant either at the garden center or searching over the internet, request or google "cold hardy hibiscus" as often times Rose of Sharon and Tropical Hibiscus will be incorrectly suggested.
Unlike the Tropical Hibiscus of Florida and other warm regions, the cold hardy Hibiscus is a perennial which dies to the ground in the winter, sprouts up from its roots in very late spring, and blooms in midsummer to early fall.
Cold hardy varieties of Hibiscus easily spread by seed and roots and often times will form spectacular large plant colonies of colorful large paper plate sized flowers.
General Culture:
Hibiscus thrives in moist, organically rich soils, but does surprisingly well in average garden soils as long as those soils are not allowed to dry out. Regular deep watering is advisable. These Hibiscus tolerate some light shade, but full sun with good air circulation produces the best flowers, strongest stems and the best environment for resisting potential diseases.
Plant your Hibiscus in locations protected from wind to minimize risk of windburn and the toppling of the tall plants. When the Hibiscus has finished blooming in late autumn and the leaves are yellowing, cut back stems to approximately 3-4". These stem remnants will also act as a marker so the plant can be located the following year.
New growth shoots are slow to emerge in spring. However, once new growth begins the Hibiscus grows quite rapidly. Hibiscus plants will benefit from regular fertilization during the growing season.
One of the best of the cold-hardy Hibiscus is ‘Lord Baltimore’. This plant is vigorous, sturdy, erect and a somewhat shrubby, woody-based Hibiscus cultivar that typically grows 4-5’ tall and features dinner plate-sized, 5-petaled, hollyhock-like brilliant red flowers.
With all Hibiscus varieties, the flowers only last one day, but one or more flowers usually opens the following day to replace the spent blooms and providing a long mid-summer to early fall blooming period.
Click on the following:
Hametownshoppes Garden Products Cold Hardy Hibiscus
to view the selections of Cold Hardy Hibiscus available now or later in the season.
Remember, cold hardy Hibiscus germinates quite readily by seed!
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