Our greenhouses are graced with many from the Malvaceae family: Abutilons, Okra, Sorrel and Hibiscus, all somewhat resembling our wild Mallows possessing mucilaginous sap and attractive flowers. Amongst these the tropical Hibiscus are famously large, flamboyant and popular as cut flowers so often seen in tropical hotels as slow to wilt in the heat.
And this same useful attribute belongs to varieties of Hibiscus syriacus (as I mentioned in an earlier article, no 32). Modern breeding has now given us such as the exquisite China Chiffon. A stunning display of enduring Gardenia like blooms on an attractive bush, blooms which are also superb when cut for buttonholes.
These can carry many on a relatively compact bushy shrub (very compact compared to their closely related Abutilons) a small bush can provide a dozen or more flowers at one picking. Or, alternatively take one almost every day throughout most of the brighter months.
Hibiscus are fairly easy going plants with few pests or diseases to trouble them and do well in sun or light shade. Any good free draining compost will serve though they appreciate you adding extra leaf-mould. They need to perform well so like regular feeding during the growing season, add a high potash liquid feed, such as for roses, well diluted, in their water regularly. (To ensure remembering this at least weekly suggest ‘Feed on Fridays’). Water well during the growing season, only lightly in the colder months and never allow them to stand in water.
Although you can start from seed you would be unlikely to see blooms near as wonderful as the many dozens on offer already. Do check whether you are looking at a compact or vigorous grower though- some will get huge. Then once you’ve bought your first these are incredibly easy to multiply from cuttings and if you have a decent propagator you can do so almost any time of year.
These are not only perennial but often long lived, so ideally pot up into a slightly larger container each spring, or at least top dress with a slow release fertiliser mixed into the topmost layer of compost. If they get too large they can be pruned, best done just as new growth commences in spring.
