About
A tall, strong-growing herbaceous perennial with upright stems, woody at the base. The broad leaves have toothed edges and white hairs on the underside. Large flowers, up to 20cm across, have spreading petals in white, pink or pinky-red, sometimes with a dark eye.
About the genus
Hibiscus can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, trees, annuals or perennials, with simple or palmately lobed leaves and large, funnel-shaped flowers over a long flowering season
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Sub-tropical
Native toS & E North America
Care notes
CultivationMay be grown outdoors in mild, frost-free areas, or in large containers that can be moved indoors over winter. Outdoors, grow in neutral to slightly acidic soil in full sun, and mulch well over winter. Hibiscus need long, hot summers to flower well. Indoors, grow in bright filtered light with moderate humidity and good ventilation
PruningPruning group 1; little pruning is usually necessary
PropagationPropagate by seed or by division in spring, or by softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, scale insects, mealybugs and glasshouse whitefly when grown under glass
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and powdery mildews