About
An upright shrub up to 3m high, with deciduous, three-lobed, green leaves, and large, single blue-purple flowers with dark red centres and veins and cream stamens, from summer to autumn; honeybees and bumblebees may visit for pollen.
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 typeLoam
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in neutral, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun, in a warm position such as a south-facing or west-facing wall to encourage flowering, and protect roots in winter with an organic mulch
PruningPruning group 1 (little or no pruning of trees and shrubs)
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in late spring, by semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or by layering in spring or autumn; propagation for resale is prohibited without a licence
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