Want to add a splash of tropical pizzazz to your garden? Think hibiscus!

Hibiscus is the one of the flashiest tropical shrubs around! The large vibrant colored funnel-shaped flowers are simply spectacular. The most familiar hibiscus to all of us is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, originally from the tropical areas of Asia and cultivated for centuries.

Hibiscus are great specimen plants and work well in planters or gardens. They are heavy bloomers from May thru late September with flowers ranging in size from 4-6 inches wide. We carry a wide range of colors including red, pink, yellow and orange and some that have a two tone color. The “Yoder” series we carry have a profusion of giant flamboyant flowers on healthy shrubs of shiny foliage.

Hibiscus prefer a well-drained soil, rich with bumper crop compost. Place them in a full sun to partial sun location for maximum blooming. Because they like the sun be prepared to water regularly during the growing season. Feed them once a month with Espoma Flower-Tone organic fertilizer. You can liquid feed them every 2 weeks with Miracle Gro Bloom Booster. It is a good idea to consistently pinch off spent flowers to help promote even more flower production.

Hibiscus have very few pest problems but they can occasionally get aphids which are insects that usually hang around the flower buds. If this happens use Bonide Eight insecticide to clear them out.

If you have never tried a hibiscus before then this should be your year to give them a try. We know you will not be disappointed.