Hibiscus is a group of large, late summer flowering plants with large, vibrantly coloured flowers. The flowers of perennial hibiscus, shrubs and trees feature delicate papery-crepe petals that form star or saucer shapes that can grow up to 12” (30 cm) in diameter. Colours range from hues of pink, white, red or orange to yellow, purple and peach. The huge sized and colorful flowers of hibiscus plants make them a showy addition to Okanagan gardens and landscapes.
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As a member of the mallow family Malvaceae, the genus is quite large, comprising several hundred species that are native to a variety of temperate zones throughout the world. Hibiscus plants are widely spread in the Okanagan and are commonly known as “Rose Mallow” and “Rose of Sharon”.
Perennial Hibiscus, commonly known as Rose Mallow – Perennial hibiscus are non-woody plants which die back to the ground in the winter. They are hardy perennials in the Okanagan and their large dinner plate sized blossoms last from midsummer to early fall. Hummingbirds and pollinating bees are attracted to the colourful flowers, but deer typically pass them by. Perennial Hibiscus adapt to a wide range of soils, including clay, but prefer a moist but well-drained soil of average fertility. In the event of a prolonged summer drought, water as needed to maintain a healthy plant.
Summerific ‘Berry Awesome’ Rose Mallow – A prolific bloomer with 7 to 8 inch lavender pink flowers with a cherry red eye and midnight green foliage. This plant is a compact well-branched large clump forming perennial that grows up to 48 inches in height with a naturally rounded habit. The “Summerific” hibiscus flower all up and down the stems instead of just on the upper half of the plants creating a knockout display in the garden and landscape.
Summerific ‘Perfect Storm’ Rose Mallow – This hibiscus features huge, 7-8″ wide, white flowers with a bright red eye that radiates out the veins, with the petals edged with pink. At 3′ tall, ‘Perfect Storm’ with its dense, rounded clump of deep black-purple maple-like leaves blooms from late summer into early fall.
Summerific ‘Holy Grail’ Rose Mallow – A purple-leaved hardy hibiscus with sturdy, upright canes that produce large, deep red blooms that measure 8 to 9 inches in diameter in late summer. Mature plants will reach up to 4.5 feet tall and wide. This plant grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It leafs out late in spring but grows very quickly.
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Summerific ‘Spinderella’ Rose Mallow – Show this off in your late summer landscape with the wild pinwheel pattern of ‘Spinderella’. Large, 8 inch white flowers have medium pink accented edges and a dark red eye. Dark green leaves form a tidy, dense, and well-rounded habit. This plant typically grows up to 5 feet tall and wide. It thrives in full sun and in medium to wet soils. Spinderella tolerates some light shade but best flower production and disease resistance occur in full sun. Prefers consistently moist, organically rich soils.
| Growing Tips for Perennial Hibiscus | ||
| Grow perennial hibiscus in full sun to light shade ▪ Never let them dry out, consistent moisture is critical ▪ Apply an extended release fertilizer once in late spring when new growth emerges ▪ This plant comes up later than most perennials ▪ Leave the woody stems standing until spring, then cut them down to 6” tall ▪ New growth will emerge from below ground, not on last year’s stems |
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Shrub Hibiscus, commonly known as Rose of Sharon – Shrub forms of hibiscus are bushy, woody plants that are cold hardy in zones 5-9. Many varieties reach heights of up to 12 feet. Their taller-than-wide shape makes them ideal for use of screening along a fence line or as a focal point near an entryway of a home. Single or double flowers, 2 to 3 inches wide are produced abundantly in summer. Butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy their nectar, but deer typically pass them by.
Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon – A deciduous shrub with outstanding, large blue flowers are adorned with lacy centers to create anemone-like blooms. Each stem of this hardy hibiscus is packed with numerous buds. Their rich colour is an unusual addition to the late summer garden, and complements many popular summer perennials and is ideal for use as hedges and borders. The plant grows up to 12 feet in height and up to 6 feet in width. These shrubs prefer full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of sun daily.
White Pillar Rose of Sharon – This easy-to-grow hibiscus, grows 10 to 16 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide as a narrow column. It features bold white trumpet-shaped flowers along the branches from mid summer to early fall, which emerge from distinctive buttery yellow flower buds. Consider this hibiscus as a border plant, for screening, or privacy purposes. It does well with mass planting and makes a stunning focal point in any landscape.
Aphrodite Rose Of Sharon – An eye-catching deciduous shrub that grows up to 8 to 12 feet tall with a spread of 6 to10 feet. It produces an abundance of continuous flowers over a long bloom season. The heavily ruffled, clear pink blooms have a deep red eye. The densely branched habit with thick, deep green foliage is perfect for a hedge or screen, and is easily trained as a small tree. A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils.
| Growing Tips for Rose of Sharon |
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| Grow shrub forms of hibiscus in full sun ▪ When planting in fall, keep them watered consistently through late fall so they are well-hydrated going into winter ▪ Once established, plant requires average amounts of moisture ▪ If you wish to prune the plant to shape it, do so in early spring ▪ Apply an extended release fertilizer once in late spring when new growth emerges |
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Nicholas Alexander Home and Garden Centre carries the Okanagan’s most extensive collection of hibiscus plants. The friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you in finding the right plant for your garden.