Perennial Hibiscus

Enjoy big blooms year after year!

The perennial hibiscus should not be confused with the tropical hibiscus. Perennial Hibiscus are truly perennial and are tough plants that will provide brilliant landscape color season after season. Tropical Hibiscus, on the other hand, is considered an annual and offers a burst of color during spring and summer. The tropical varieties cannot withstand a hard freeze or a Virginia winter, but fills a spot in the summer garden.

We love the perennial hibiscus for its spectacular flower colors, the size of the hibiscus blooms and best of all that it is a perennial and will come back each season.

For years the only hardy hibiscus colors available were white, pink and red but now, thanks to plant breeders, you can select from incredible color variations like hot pink, raspberry, mauve, dusty rose or even plum. These plants produce large flower sizes that range from 4 to 10 inches in diameter. Some even reach the size of a dinner plate! While each bloom only lasts one day, hibiscus are prolific bloomers and can produce more than a hundred blooms in a season.

Not only are these garden jewels beautiful, but they are easy to grow. All they need is full sun, decent soil and some occasional pruning. Although hibiscus will tolerate part shade, excessive shade will reduce flower production. A hardy hibiscus is considered a Herbaceous perennial. This means their tops die down to the ground each winter, but new shoots will come roaring back into lush growth when soil gets warm. Since Hibiscus love the heat they really do not start to come on strong until the temperatures get very warm.

There are assorted varieties of perennial hibiscus to choose from. Use them in the garden as a focal point or arranged to provide an informal hedge. Some of the more popular varieties that we carry include ‘Kopper King,’ ‘Cranberry Crush,’ ‘Fireball,’ ‘Robert Fleming’ and ‘Jazzberry Jam.’ These flamboyant flowers will provide you with attractive foliage and a summer full of spectacular bloom!

{ Happy Gardening! Posted by McDonald Garden Center, June 29, 2010 }