Hardy Hibiscus just may be the answer for those of you who love hibiscus but get frustrated at how susceptible they are to cold temperatures. With some winter protection, the hardy variety of hibiscus can survive our winters and greet you again each year. Sound good? Let’s take a closer look at the hardy hibiscus.
About Hardy Hibiscus
 ‘Spinderella’ (pic above), Watermelon Ruffles’, ‘The Perfect Storm’ (with almost black foliage) and ‘Cookies N Cream’ are just a few that come to mind from the selection of Proven Winners hardy hibiscus that we’ve seen arrive this year. These selections and many others are all stunning and worth a trip to Rainbow Gardens to check them out.
Hardy hibiscus, also called Rose Mallow, bloom from summer to frost here in San Antonio, Texas. Their gorgeous, dramatic blooms can reach 8″- 12″ across in diameter! Red, white, pink, and swirl are the color selections and combinations that are most commonly found, but new varieties are showing up yearly. Â ‘Spinderella’ (pic above), Watermelon Ruffles’ (pic below), ‘The Perfect Storm’ (last pic with almost black foliage) and ‘Cookies N Cream’ are just a few that come to mind from the selection of Proven Winners hardy hibiscus that we’ve seen arrive this year. These selections and many others are all stunning and worth a trip to Rainbow Gardens to check them out.
At maturity, the average size is about 4-6+’ tall x 3′-4′ wide. Their luscious, deep-green or deep maroon foliage makes a beautiful backdrop in garden beds in the landscape, but we also love them as stand alone specimens in containers.
I mentioned in the first paragraph that hardy hibiscus survive our winters. They will still most likely lose their leaves and probably die back to the ground, but they are root hardy to -20°F, so each spring they will sprout right back up from the ground once the soil warms up. Even if your hardy hibiscus doesn’t die back, it’s advised to cut the stems down in early spring each year for fresh growth.Â
Hardy hibiscus are best planted in soil that is well-draining and has been amended with compost to offer plenty of rich, organic material as nutrients to the plant. Full sun offers the best blooms; these babies can take the heat and thrive! Moist soil is best, so they appreciate regular water, but you still need to make sure that your soil is well-draining; no standing water is tolerated. The aforementioned care will offer the best care and most productive blooms, but hardy hibiscus can tolerate a little shade too (afternoon) and even grow in less desirable soils.
Hardy hibiscus can create a showy display in your pollinator gardens too. You’ll have many butterflies and bees excited to visit the giant blooms. It’s no wonder the hardy hibiscus has become a longtime favorite of many Texas gardeners. Maybe it will become one of your favorites too! Both of our Rainbow Gardens locations just received a healthy supply of these beauties. Come visit and pick one out for yourself!
~The Happy Gardener, Lisa Mulroy
How does Hardy Hibiscus do in shady areas? The front of my son and my daughter-in-law’s house is fully shaded. I am helping up their landscape and looking for great shade-loving plants. Thanks
Hardy hibiscus is not a shade loving plant. These do best in the sunshine. You can access our shade plant list for som eother suggestions that would be more suitable. https://www.rainbowgardens.biz/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/FULL-SHADE-TOLERANT-PLANTS.pdf
Will dear feed on these hibiscus
Hi Rick,
Yes they will, like candy.
what fertilizer is suggested for hardy?
Something like Fertilome’s Hibisicus and Tropical Fertilizer would work just fine. You don’t want one that is too high in phosphorous (the middle number of the ratio listed on the bag). Even an all purpose fertilizer would work (10-10-10 or soemthing comparable).
I have 2 Rose of Sharon that have bloomed well during this crazy heat. However, of my 5 hardy hibiscus only 1 has bloomed – once. I’ve fertilized with Osmocote as well as ‘diy’ mixtures of banana, coffee & eggshells. I’m scared to put them in direct sun so they’re on a porch that gets morning & early afternoon sun. I’ve been keeping them fairly wet.
Any suggestions to boost blooming? Thank you!
Hi there,
While you have good intentions thinking you want to protect your plants, it very well may be that they aren’t getting enough of the sun that they need to produce blooms. They also need to “dry out” a little in between waterings, but not completely! So the combo of more shade, wet soil might be what is causing the lack of blooms. (By drying out a litle, I only mean you should feel the soil about 3 inches down to test for moisture. If soil sticks to your finger, you can skip watering that day, if you pull your finger out and soil flakes off easily, water). Make sure when you are watering that you water thoroughly to where the water runs out the drainage holes.
one last question I wold ask, is if the buds are forming bu dropping before they open which could be a problem with thrips.