Plant Encyclopedia

Other Names:  Rose Mallow, Hardy Hibiscus

Group/Class:  Summerific® Collection

Brand:  Proven Winners

Description:

Glossy, maple-like, near-black leaves make a bold statement even before the showy, gigantic ruffled pink and white flowers come into bloom; ideal for a compact border area, or in mass; do not allow to dry to wilting point

Ornamental Features

Summerific® Perfect Storm Hibiscus features bold pink round flowers with white overtones and red eyes at the ends of the stems from mid summer to early fall. Its attractive large glossy oval leaves remain black in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Summerific® Perfect Storm Hibiscus is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other garden plants with finer foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects
• Self-Seeding

Summerific® Perfect Storm Hibiscus is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Summerific® Perfect Storm Hibiscus will grow to be about 32 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 32 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 28 inches apart. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Summerific® Perfect Storm Hibiscus is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.