About

This medium to large, deciduous shrub up to 4m tall with an upright habit. Lobed leaves appear in late spring and large, double blue flowers with conspicuous protruding tubes of stamens open in succession from midsummer into autumn.

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 typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-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, Patio and container plants, Coastal

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
PruningVery little pruning required, just prune away any broken or dead branches after flowering - pruning group 1.
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in late spring, by semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or by layering in spring or autumn
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