38 Berkeley Horticultural Nursery
July 2, 2021
40 Cambria Nursery
July 30, 2021
Hibiscus High
H ibiscus blossoms come in many shapes, sizes and colors. Each is just as pretty as the next. I often wonder how a flower that appears so delicate can survive 105-degree temps. I know I can't!
Hibiscus moscheutos Head Over Heals Series ‘Passion’
The hardy hibiscus are some of the easiest perennials to grow. They like full sun and moderate amounts of water. Deadheading is not required for production of bloom but feel free to deadhead anyway for appearances.
Hibiscus moscheutos Luna Series ‘Luna White’
I suggest planting hibiscus in spring or fall. If you plant them in summer temps over 90 degrees, they will go into shock.
How do I know this? Because many of my clients see hibiscus blooming in summer and decide they've got to have one installed right now in the dead of heat.
It's not just the hibiscus that goes into shock and wilts. I do too. Just give us a week or so, however, and we will bounce back.
It's important to cut the woody stems down to 4 to 6 inches from ground. But I do not cut them until I see new growth appear which is usually late spring.
I receive many phone calls saying, "My hibiscus is dead!" No, it's not dead. Be patient for plantsake!
My neighbor bought this hibiscus in a small container in front of a grocery store. This was a few years back, and now look at it. Beautiful!
Hibiscus moscheutos Summerific Series ‘Perfect Storm’
Here's one of the blossoms up close.
She sent me a picture of it that included her head next to it. The flower is literally the same size. Sorry I can’t let you see that photo because my neighbor doesn't want to show her face. That blossom alone can make you Hibiscus High (so maybe that's the reason...)!
A client couple designed their own yard but hired me to tweak it and do the install. They wanted the red flowering hibiscus in the photo below. I bought 2 of them and placed them on either side of the white arbor with the fountain in the middle. When you are sitting on the patio, this creates a nice picture frame.
Hibiscus moscheutos Summerific Series ‘Holy Grail’
I put the hibiscus 2 feet out from the arbor to give them room to grow.
Last summer I had a few moments to myself so I got online to Plant Delights—another #1 store for plant addicts—and started clicking away. (My mouse sure does have a mind of its own.) Three months later I received my package in time for fall planting.
One of my purchases was a twig of a thing with two leaves. Currently it is growing at a moderate pace and looking just fine considering the small size of the twig and the low price of $20.
Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Starry Starry Night’
Aunt Patti would NEVER think of purchasing a twig. But she will certainly get Hibiscus High when she sees my twig's future self...
Due to the buds at the tippy top, I might get a bloom this year before frost. (Doesn’t that sound good right now in this summer's heat? Frost! Lol.)
I chose ‘Holy Grail’ for its burgundy foliage. In my garden and those of clients, I always always try to add silver, grey or burgundy foliage.
In Februrary 2020 I bought a Cranberry Crush hibiscus like the one below for clients. (Thank gawd they wanted a winter install! It's a rare occasion to see me working without glowing—aka sweating.)
Hibiscus moscheutos Summerific Series ‘Cranberry Crush’
I've warned about this before: do not blindly trust nursery plant labels. I took the Cranberry Crush label at its word and expected by now—a year and a-half later—to see gorgeous red blossoms reaching 8 to 12-inches wide.
Well, take a look. Cranberry Crush it ain't!
Oh well, it is still pretty in pink!
I do believe that is Hibiscus moscheutos Summerific Series ‘Perfect Storm.’ It's companion is Ruellia humilis (Mexican Petunia).
Another type of hibiscus are tropical hibiscus like this one...
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Hawaiian Sunset’ (Tropical Hibiscus)
These pop up in nurseries around the end of June, and how can you resist them? I can’t—even knowing they will be dead by first frost. In my Zone 7 they are definitely considered annuals.
A more common hibiscus—in fact THE most common—is the Rose of Sharon. They are everywhere. Here is mine...
Hibiscus syriacus ‘Blushing Bride’ (Blushing Bride Rose of Sharon)
I've always loved my Rose of Sharon but then it grew so tall it towers over the pool. Stupid me who planted it in that spot. Now all summer long—on a daily basis—the dead blossoms drop in the water and cause a mess much like the damn bamboo leaves when they clean themselves.
Below is a new Rose of Sharon version that grows to a more compact size—just 4 by 4 feet—and has few to zero seedlings that sprout up everywhere you do not want them.
Hibiscus sp. ‘Rosina’ (Pollypetite Rose of Sharon)
It is pricey at $30 for a 2 gallon. But well worth it!
Below is a plant I grew from seed in February. It's supposed to bloom in 14-16 weeks. It is currently mid-July. Do the math.
Hibiscus ‘Mahogany Splendor’
Yup. It's got the mahogany but not the splendor. Zippo blooms. Zilch. Zero. Not even a bud.
Here's what it should look like...
Since I bought the seeds from Select Seeds, I pulled up my order to read the description of this plant. Apparently it may not flower in my zone at all because it takes so long to get to bloom—obviously even past 14-16 weeks. By then the weather might be too cold and the plant will be dead from frost! But you know what? I don’t care. The foliage is absolutely wonderful.
Look at the deep burgundy colors that are so lovely amongst the chartreuse foliage—which of course I planned from the start. You should know by now how much I LOVE beautiful foliage. My 'Mahogany Splendor' is currently 4-feet tall and 2-feet wide. It grew very fast—which makes me pleased.
Whichever hibiscus species you choose to get Hibiscus High in your own garden, you will not be disappointed!
Photos courtesy Sheri Lynn Burke. All rights reserved.
