Hibiscus Shrubs

Selection

• When shopping for a hibiscus, select one with healthy green leaves and an abundance of new bud growth. Once at home, the hibiscus does well in full or partial sunshine and moist, well-draining soil. While they enjoy full sunshine, introduce them to it gradually by first placing them in filtered light. If keeping as a houseplant, use a potting mix with two parts potting soil, one part perlite and two parts peat moss. If you intend to transplant your hibiscus and move it to a larger container, leave this task for February.

Flowers

• From midsummer to fall, the hibiscus shrub continually blooms, producing large exotic flowers that close in the evening. While the hibiscus flower is a dramatic looking, showy blossom, it has no distinct fragrance. Tropical prints and designs often include the image of the hibiscus flower. Some flowers are 4 inches wide with large petals. Hibiscus flowers come in a wide array of colors, some solid and others multicolored. Depending on the variety, a flower might last for just one day or up to three days. If the buds drop prior to opening, this can be the result of extreme temperatures, either too hot or too cold.

Size and Shape

• While many gardeners keep their hibiscus shrub less than 2 feet high, if left untrimmed, the hibiscus can reach up to 8 feet high and 4 feet wide. While its natural shape is vaselike, growing upright, when strategically pruned and trained the shrub can take the shape of a small tree.

Care

• The hibiscus is intolerant of extreme changes in temperature. In cooler regions, the plant goes dormant during the winter. It requires regular and consistent irrigation during the spring and summer. Fertilize the shrub only during the growing season. When watering a hibiscus houseplant, apply the water to the soil, allowing the water to drain completely from the container's drain hole. Water the plant before the flowers begin to wilt. Wash the foliage occasionally to prevent insect infestation, such as aphids and spider mites.