Hardy Hibiscus

Bring vibrant color into your garden in late summer when many flowers are fading.

Hibiscus flowers can grow as large as dinner plates.

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Late summer bloomers are often overlooked when gardeners plant perennials in the spring. Then, when late summer arrives and the garden starts to fade away, you may wish for the bright colors of spring and early summer. Well, you can have that with hardy hibiscus.

Colors range from hot pinks, dusty rose and dark reds, to a contrasting creamy white. They can be grown almost anywhere in the country.

As far as planting goes, first you need to pick a good location, one that gets at least six hours of sun a day. Then dig a hole that is as deep as the container and a little bit wider. Gently remove the plant from the container, and if the roots are tangled, loosen them up a bit before placing the plant in the hole. Backfill halfway with rich organic soil and give the plant a good soaking with water. Allow it to drain, then continue to backfill the rest of the hole. Next, add a layer of mulch about two to three inches thick to help protect the plant during the winter and help it retain moisture.

Once it gets cold enough, the plant will die back to the ground. Next spring, be patient because it takes a while before hardy hibiscus sends up new growth. Once you see that growth, give it a fertilizer such as a 10-10-10. By the end of July and August, you'll have beautiful bright flowers to look forward to.