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Simply tropical
(by Gina M. Mahon - August 06, 2008)
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Photo By Gina M. Mahon
Hibiscus is offered in many varieties and usually prefers full to partial shade and damp or wet soil.
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How about a trip to the tropics, or maybe just your backyard? Well then, here is a flowering plant that not only has a tropical but a native variety as well. Except for the fact that the tropical is not a hardy perennial in our area, there isn’t much of a difference. So, I will be touting the virtues of the hardy perennials, Hibiscus mosheutos and Hibiscus coccineus. Hey, a two for!
First, the one which I have growing in my garden, Hibiscus mosheutos, also known as Rose Mallow, Swamp Rose or just plain old Hibiscus. The Hibiscus is native to the wetland areas on the East Coast from Massachusetts all the way down to Florida and in some sections of Alabama and
Michigan . This is a plant that will grow into a multi stemmed shrub which will die back completely in the late autumn after first frost. On average it grows to around five feet tall but can get as tall as eight feet.
The flowers are just spectacular! They are single with three to five inch long petals. When completely opened, depending on variety, these saucer like flowers are between six and 12 inches wide! Red, white, pink and bicolors bloom from midsummer until frost. Check out ‘Radiation,’ a great pink color growing to five feet tall. Need something a bit smaller? ‘Disco Belle’ is for you. This hibiscus is available in red or white and grows only 18 to 24 inches tall. Except for ‘Disco Belle’, the leaves are huge, eight inches long. Some leaves will be broad and ovate while others will be longer rather than round. They are a true green color on top but white and fuzzy underneath.
Soil must be rich in organic matter. As the name Swamp Rose suggests, it does great in a very wet area of the garden. Full or partial shade is fine for this plant. Even though it can grow up to eight feet tall, this is a multi stemmed shrub so there is no need to stake it even when strong winds blow. This is a great plant for around a pool, pond or use it as a temporary hedge.
Now for Hibiscus coccineus or, Scarlet Rose Mallow. This hibiscus is also native to the East Coast and grows best in a wet to swampy area. It too does well when planted it in full sun or partial shade. The leaves differ greatly in this variety of hibiscus. They are wide but then become very long, toothed and finger like. The shape differs as well. This is a narrow, upright growing plant reaching between six and eight feet tall and three feet wide. The flowers are a very, very deep red and are between five and six inches wide. Whichever variety you choose I’m sure you’ll be glad that you made room in your garden for this beauty!
Remember – there can never be enough flowers, so enjoy!
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