Caring for Your Hibiscus

Hibiscus is not just a Hawaiian plant, but grows readily in sub-tropical and tropical environments. Some species can even weather it through droughts for short a period of time. These edible and medicinal plants grow in places such as Mexico, China, Africa and many more.

Long used as a plant for medicine these plants are a favorite of gardeners in the United States since they produce colorful l large blooms on almost a daily basis. The blooms, depending on the plant, can grow as wide as a basketball or as small as a softball. Their stamen varies in size from plant to plant as well. Some grow longer than their flowers are wide.

The more commonly grown hibiscus plants are about saucer size in diameter or slightly smaller. Their flowers start blooming early in the morning as the sun rises. By the end of the day, these flowers close and possibly die off as well. Some flowers can last up to three days, reopening each morning. The general tendency of these plants is to produce new flowers on a daily basis throughout the summer.

The blooming season for most hibiscus is from late spring to early fall. This can sometimes continue into early winter if the climate is moderate and a freeze has not yet occurred. Hibiscus plants will go dormant during the winter months. This is the best time to prune them back for more growth the following year.

Hibiscus plants do enjoy water, but too much will lead to root rot and other diseases. A rich well drained soil is recommended for these colorful flowering bushes. Yes, hibiscus is a bush. Some species can grow up to 14 feet tall, but this is rare in non-tropical areas. Grown in a sunroom or greenhouse a hibiscus might be fooled into growing larger. The tropical conditions are not easily duplicated by novice gardeners.

Butterflies, bees and hummingbirds are all attracted to this flowering bush. Hibiscus flowers are easily accessible to these pollenators.

The almost paper thin petals have a paper mâché appearance to them with folds randomly about. Their centers are typically darker in color to accent the surrounding colors. Black hibiscus can have yellow, pink, white, purple, blue or even red centers. The color combinations are endless.

When growing hibiscus in pots, keep an eye on them so they do not become root bound. Unless you plan on upgrading to a larger pot each year, you may want to find a sunny area in your yard to plant this behemoth flowering bush.

Should you choose to grow more than one, plant them at least five feet apart from one another. Six or seven feet might be better depending on each particular plant. You may also want to set out bird feeders in the winter to keep larger birds from breaking of the branches for their nests. Covering the plant with a breathable fabric or plant tent may be safer for them.

Hibiscus plants can be temperamental if required soil conditions are not met. You can purchase HVH recommended soil from a garden center, but call ahead to make sure they have it in stock. Soil composition is first and foremost important in growing a healthy hibiscus bush.

There is an array of pesticides you can use to keep them from getting diseased or taken over by pests. The best method to protect your hibiscus from any of this is to maintain moist soil and import ladybugs if you need to. Most garden centers have dormant (sleeping) ladybugs you can purchase if your area rarely sees any. Ladybugs and worms are sometimes the best critters to have in a garden.

Sources:

Personal Experience,
http://www.fancyhibiscus.com/,
http://www.americanhibiscus.org/,
http://www.hiddenvalleynaturearts.com/acatalog/soil.htm