These plants can be annuals or perennials HARDY HIBISCUS

By MARILYN McKINLEY

OSU Ext. Master Gardener Volunteer

CANFIELD

Bold and tropical.

Perfect words to describe the hardy hibiscus. Garden centers sell both the annual (tropical) and the perennial (hardy) types.

So if you are looking for a perennial, be sure the tag indicates that the plant will tolerate temperatures to Zone 4. This means they are sure to survive in our Zone 5 areas of the Mahoning Valley.

This showy plant comes in a variety of colors. Burgundy is my favorite. The flowers are showy, about 10 inches in diameter.

Hibiscus like full sun and tolerate heat well. A south- facing wall is perfect. Space at least 3 feet apart. There are dwarf varieties that reach 3 feet in height. Other varieties will grow up to 8 feet.

Dependable varieties are “Lord Baltimore” (red flowers), “Lady Baltimore” (white flowers with a red throat), “Kopper King” (burgundy-colored foliage with pink flowers with a red throat), and “Plum Crazy” with frilly pink flowers.

The plant self-seeds easily. Note, the seeds that self-sow may not be the same color as the parent plant.

You can start from seed, by planting indoors eight weeks before the last spring frost. You can also transplant the soft shoots in the spring. Fall division is rarely successful.

This plant likes fairly moist soil, keep well-watered and use mulch to maintain the moisture. Use a 10-10-10 fertilizer in spring when the plant emerges. Deadhead them often to keep a tidy-looking plant.

I have a word of advice for eager gardeners. These plants are slow to come up in spring, so be patient. Every year I wonder if I have lost mine to the winter’s cold. My hibiscus plants do not appear until mid-June, but then they really take off growing.

Spider mites and aphids are insects that threaten the hibiscus. A spray of water knocks them off the plants, or a shot of insecticidal soap will do the trick if they are really bad.

Since this plant is a late summer into the fall bloomer, be sure to consider this when deciding where to place them and plant accordingly.

You’ll want to protect them from the first couple of frosts to extend their bloom and your enjoyment. Make sure they are planted in a site you can view often during August and September. You must realize that these plants can get rather large.

As a bonus, the hibiscus attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden.

To learn about these plants, go to http://go.osu.edu/hardyhibiscus.