Description
Perennial (hardy) hibiscus, known as rose mallow, is prized for its dinnerplate-sized blossoms (up to 12 inches) that bloom from mid-summer to early fall. Unlike tropical varieties, these true perennials die back to the ground each winter and re-emerge in late spring, returning vigorously year after year.
- Popular Cultivars: Look for massive bloomers like the compact Luna Red (8-inch blooms) or the dark-leaved Midnight Marvel.
- Sun & Soil: Plant in full sun and rich, consistently moist soil. They are native to swampy areas and thrive near streams, ponds, or areas prone to flooding.
- Winterizing: After the first frost, trim the dead stems back to 2–3 inches above the soil line.
-
How to Care for Hibiscus Shrubs
- Hibiscus needs frequent watering, especially when young and new. When watering, do so deeply and thoroughly, drenching the plant.
-
What Is Mulch?
At its simplest, mulch is any material that covers the soil’s surface. In nature, mulch is simply fallen leaves and plant debris. In the garden, mulch can also include compost, wood chips, rotted manure, cardboard, or even seaweed.
It’s only recently that we’ve come to appreciate mulch’s sustainable and ecological benefits. Done correctly, mulching feeds our soil’s living microorganisms with nutrients, and the waste from these tiny microbes creates a healthier soil structure for plants, limiting compaction.
- To encourage rebloom, either remove the spent flowers before they form seed heads or prune plants back by one-third after a flush of bloom is finished.
- Perennial hibiscus will freeze back to the ground each winter; cut old stems to the ground.
- Hibiscus blooms on new wood (this year’s growth), so pruning is best done in the spring.
- In early spring, remove dead stems from established plants and apply a balanced fertilizer.
- Over the growing season, hibiscus can benefit from a fertilizer that is high in potassium, medium to medium-high in nitrogen, and low in phosphorus, as the plant can be sensitive to phosphorus.
- Mature plants can be divided in the spring, not fall.
