Perennial hibiscus offers reliable late blooms in the garden
Posted on: September 24, 2019 | Written By: Doug Oster |
The soft pink hue of a perennial hibiscus bud just before it opens is stunning. Not to be confused with indoor tropical hibiscus, this plant will reappear out in the garden season after season.
The tight buds of perennial hibiscus open quickly to reveal the flower inside. Photos by Doug Oster
‘Kopper King’ has dark foliage and pink blooms. It flowers towards the end of the season and is easy to grow. St. Fiacre enjoys some shade from the flowers.
Simple to grow
They are easy to grow and can be planted either in early spring or in the fall after blooming has stopped. Amending the soil with compost will make the plant happy for years to come.
This is ‘Kopper King,’ with chocolate colored dark foliage and pretty pink flowers. There are an endless variety of cultivars. Summerific ‘Perfect Storm’ blooms with giant eight inch, white flowers with a red eye over a rounded clump of dark purplish, black foliage. Those are two hardy hybrids, but there are also wild species that are tough and beautiful. They naturalize on the banks of lakes all across the Northeast.
When the large hibiscus buds swell, they will unfurl quickly, often in just a matter of hours.
Once established, perennial hibiscus will return year after year. They love full sun, but will bloom with just a few hours. The plant shown here only gets four hours of sun tops. They can handle drought, but would appreciate a good soaking once a week if rain is scarce.
These plants are a great choice for the back of the border and make a bold statement when planted in mass.
Try carefree perennial hibiscus in the garden and enjoy the late season beauty.
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