How to Grow and Care for Hardy Hibiscus

If you crave vibrant color and showy flowers plant a hardy hibiscus in your garden. With huge blooms that can reach the size of dinner plates these perennials instantly transport you to the tropics.
Theyre a native North American plant thats colorful and easy to grow says Justin Hancock horticulturalist with Costa Farms. Plus theyre a great entrylevel plant for new gardeners. And its unexpected to see such an exoticlooking flower in a colder climate.
If you crave vibrant color and showy flowers plant a hardy hibiscus in your garden. With huge blooms that can reach the size of dinner plates these perennials instantly transport you to the tropics.

Theyre a native North American plant thats colorful and easy to grow says Justin Hancock horticulturalist with Costa Farms. Plus theyre a great entrylevel plant for new gardeners. And its unexpected to see such an exoticlooking flower in a colder climate.
These shrubby perennials with red pink or lavendergrey blooms grow in swampy areas in their native habitat but theyre surprisingly droughttolerant once established notes Hancock.
Hardy hibiscus also called perennial hibiscus blooms all summer then dies back to the ground in winter. But they will pop up again next year in late spring.
Hardy hibiscus Hibiscus moscheutos often is confused with tropical hibiscus Hibiscus rosasinensis a plant with similar characteristics.
Tropical hibiscus comes in a wider range of colors. However its not frost tolerant.
Heres what you need to know about hardy hibiscus
Hardy Hibiscus Highlights
Common Name Hibiscus
Botanical Name Hibiscus moscheutos
Plant Family Malvaceae
Type of Plant Perennial
Native Origin North America
Sun Exposure Full sun
Preferred Soil TypepH Range Welldraining Slightly acidic to neutral
Mature Size 3 to 7 feet wide 2 to 4 feet tall
Hardiness Zones 5 to 9
How Do I Grow Hardy Hibiscus?
Give these plants full sun which is considered at least 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day. They can bake all day and still look good says Hancock.
Dig a hole about 2 to 3 times the width of the pot and place the plant in ground at the same level it was in the container. Backfill soil tamp down and water well.