Hibiscus - How to grow stunning flowering shrubs
FLOWER GUIDES
SEASONAL TIPS
Spring - Hard prune hibiscus to provide a good
show of flowers in late summer.
Mulch to help retain moisture during summer
Summer -
Make sure that newly planted plants are kept watered.
Autumn-
Take cuttings to propagate new plants.
POPLUAR VARIETIES OF HIBISCUS
Lady Stanley - A white doubled flowered hibiscus with a marroon centre
Lavender Chiffon - lilac double hibiscus flower
Lilac Queen - single flowered lilac flower with a red centre.
Meehanii - single pale purple flowers with a darker centre
Oiseau Bleu - lavendar blue with a maroon base
Red Heart - White flowers with a red centre
William R Smith - White flower
Woodbridge - Pink
HIBISCUS SOCIETIES
HIBISCUS
Hibiscus
are a large group of flowering shrubs belonging to the Mallow family.
Many species of Hibiscus are grown in gardens for their spectacular flowers .
Hibiscus grow in many different climates - some are susceptible to frost but there are also many hardy varieties
Hibiscus flower is a primary ingredient in many popular herbal teas.
HIBISCUS FOR COLDER GARDENS
The
choice of a hardy hibiscus for garden affected by frost
is limited to 2 types of deciduous hibiscus shrubs - Hibiscus Syriacus,
from East Asia and Hibiscus Sinosyriacus, from Western China.
Hibiscus Syriacus , The Syrian Mallow, has spreading growth and is one of the best flowering shrubs of late summer.
Hibiscus Sinosyriacus is more upright with larger flowers and broader leaves.
H. Sinosyriacus is the more tender of the two varieties.
These flowering shrubs will grow to a height of 6 - 10 feet and are resistant to most pests and diseases.
PRUNING HIBISCUS
Hard pruning in Spring is not difficult and will promote a mass of large stunning flowers. Pruning Hibiscus consists of shortening the side shoots by 2 thirds.
TRAINING HISBISCUS PLANTS AS STANDARDS OR TREES
Hibiscus plants can also be trained as standards - they make wonderful focal points in small or sheltered gardens.
To train a hisbiscus as a standard plant or tree start by pruning the hibiscus in springtime back to just one stem and support it with a strong cane.
Any side shoots that subsequently appear should be removed - continue this process until the hibiscus reaches the required height.
Allow the shoots to develop at the top of the shrub until a bushy head forms, then prune each spring to contain the shape - this will also encourage a large display of hibiscus flowers.
CARE OF HIBISCUS
Hibiscus can be planted in ordinary garden soil and thrive well if given a good mulch in springtime.
Once the hardy hibiscus is established in its position in the garden it requires little aftercare.
They are late to come into leaf in springtime - so don't be fooled into thinking that they have died over the winter - their stems can often stay bare until June!
PROPAGATION OF HIBISCUS
Hibiscus can be propagated from cuttings taken in autumn.
Insert the cuttings into sandy soil and keep in a cold frame until the roots are formed. ove to a reserve bed then, when the plants are established, plant out in their final positions.
HOTHOUSE HIBISCUS
The tender hibiscus are natives of tropical countries and
require a minimum winter temperature of 13 degrees celcius.
They form shrubs of up to 10 feet in height and may be grown in large flower pots or tub - with repotting carried out in February.
Hothouse Hibiscus are best grown in the greenhouse in a compost of equal parts peat and loam with a sprinkling of crushed charcoal.