| Common Name Biological Name Type: Zone: Height: Spread: Bloom Time: Bloom Description: Sun: Water: Maintenance: Suggested Use: Flower: Attracts: Tolerate: |
hardy hibiscus Hibiscus moscheutos Herbaceous perennial 5 to 9 3.00 to 4.00 feet 2.00 to 3.00 feet July to September White, pink rim, deep red eye Full sun Medium to wet Low Annual, Rain Garden Showy Butterflies Deer, Wet Soil |
Best in moist, organically rich soils, but does surprisingly well in average garden soils as long as those soils are not allowed to dry out. Deep and consistent watering is advisable. Tolerates some light shade, but full sun with good air circulation produces best flowers, strongest stems and the best environment for resisting potential diseases. Site in locations protected from wind to minimize risk of wind burn. Deadhead individual flowers immediately to maintain plant appearance. Cut back stems to approximately 3-4 inches in late autumn. New growth shoots are slow to emerge in spring. However, once new growth begins, it proceeds quite rapidly and plants will benefit from regular fertilization during the growing season. May be propagated by division or cuttings. Hardy hybrid hibiscus is a vigorous, sturdy, erect but sometimes shrubby, woody-based perennial that typically grows to 4-8’ tall. Hardy hybrid hibiscus plants are often complex mixtures of different species which are native to the U. S., including H. coccineus, H. laevis, H. militaris, H. moscheutos and H. palustris. Hybrids are winter hardy to USDA Zones 4 or 5 which significantly distinguishes them from the many tropical to semi-tropical hibiscus on the market today. Each disc-shaped flower (to 6-10” across) features five flat showy overlapping petals (each to 3-4” long) in a variety of colors which surround a prominent and showy central staminal column. Individual flowers remain in bloom for only one day, but one or more flowers usually open each day, in succession, over a long mid-summer to early fall (sometimes to first frost) bloom period. Each plant can produce up to 250 flowers per growing season. Heavily, deeply-cut, irregularly serrate, glossy dark green leaves have reddish stems. |
| Information on this page is generally from Missouri Botanical Gardens, Dave’s Garden, All things Plants, Texas Superstar, Garden.org or Aggie Horticulture |
This page last updated or reviewed [250605]