How to Grow Large Pink Hibiscus

Site perennial hibiscuses in full sun for best flowering. However, delicate colors such as light pink fade in strong sunlight, so those plants should be placed where they'll receive shade in the afternoon.

Space most varieties of perennial hibiscus 18 to 30 inches apart. Dwarf cultivars such as the Luna series and upright cultivars such as Disco Belle can be spaced closer together.

Feed perennial hibiscus in the spring just as new growth emerges and again after the first flush of flowers. Use a fertilizer formulated for flowering plants. Follow the package directions carefully; too much fertilizer damages the plants and causes excessive leaf growth.

Water the plants often enough that the soil stays moist. H. moschuetos and its hybrids are very tolerant of wet soils and thrive near ponds and streams.

Encourage repeat flowering by removing spent flowers before they develop seed heads. Alternatively, cut the plants back by one-third after the first flush of blooms. Rose mallow will bloom from late summer until fall if deadheaded regularly.

Support upright cultivars with a trellis or stakes if they're sited in a windy spot. If a branch breaks during a storm, cut it back under the break and new side shoots will develop.

Inspect the plants regularly for signs of insects or disease. Rose mallows are generally trouble-free but occasionally are bothered by aphids, whiteflies and Japanese beetles, all of which can be washed off with a strong stream of water.

Cut the plant back to 3 inches above the soil line after the first frost. Remove all debris from around the plant so that insects, rodents and diseases don't overwinter near the plants.