Garteneibisch 'Woodbridge' - Hibiscus syriacus 'Woodbridge' (2023)

FAQs

How do you take care of a Hibiscus syriacus? ›

They prefer moist soil and do not tolerate drought. Water regularly and up to twice a day in hotter weather, especially if in a container. Cut water back a bit in colder weather. Water-stressed hibiscus may drop their buds or become more susceptible to insects and disease.

The rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) produces large, showy blooms in a range of colors that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. This perennial shrub grows in Sunset's Climate Zones H1, 2a through 3b and 4 through 24.

Hibiscus syriacus, commonly called rose of Sharon or shrub althea, is a vigorous, upright, vase-shaped, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that typically grows 8-12' tall. It may be trained as a small tree or espalier.

Rose-of-SharonHibiscus syriacus. The Rose-of-Sharon is an deciduous, upright, occasionally spreading shrub or small tree with multiple trunks. The branches grow upright and wlll not droop except when in flower. The leaves emerge late in the spring.

Keeping Hibiscus Inside Over Winter

(That said, if you have a hardy hibiscus, which is sold in the perennials section of your local garden center, that plant can stay outdoors over winter. It will go dormant this fall, rest over winter, and produce new growth in late spring with flowers following in summer).

One of the best ways to protect outdoor hibiscus that are planted in the ground is to mulch over the root zone and around the main stem of the plant. A thick layer of leaves or compost can help protect the roots and keep them from freezing at night.

Hardy Hibiscus plants should be covered in winter when grown in areas with cold temperatures and snow. Pack mulch around the base of the plant to help protect the roots. The plant can be wrapped in fabric or a tarp to ward off chilly temps and wind.

The older garden varieties could live up to 50 years and grow to heights of 0-15 feet or more, while some of the newer hybrids have lifespans of 5-0 years and only grow a few inches a year.

Grow perennial hibiscus in full sun to light shade. Never let them dry out—consistent moisture is critical and mulching is recommended. Adequate cover (snow, straw, leaves) is essential for overwintering. Apply an extended-release fertilizer once in late spring when new growth emerges.

'Blue Satin'® is one of the most striking of all rose of Sharon cultivars, featuring intense blue-violet flowers with deep magenta throats and yellow stamens.

What kills rose of Sharon bushes? ›

Of course, chemicals can be used to kill rose of Sharon seedlings. A herbicide formulated for woody plants, such as Bioadvance's brush killer or Ortho's Ground Clear will do the job. These are non-selective plant killers, though, so you need to be very careful in how you apply them.

Rose of Sharon, also known as Althea, delights observers with white, pink, red, purple or blue flowers for a few weeks in late summer. A cold-hardy, drought-resistant shrub, Rose of Sharon can productively produce blooms for 20 to 30 years.

Protect rose of Sharon by applying a deep mulch of leaves around the base of the plant after the ground has frozen. It can also be protected from the wind by wrapping it loosely in burlap. Do not wrap tightly or cover the top and remove the wrapping at the end of winter.

Potted rose of sharon may need winter protection as well. Either heap mulch or straw over potted plants or wrap with bubble wrap. It's most important that the plant crown be protected in colder climates. Protecting rose of sharon in winter when it's planted in areas of high wind may also be necessary.

Most perennial Hibiscus varieties enter a dormant stage near the end of fall, which typically lasts through the winter season. You will notice that the leaves will lose their color, flowers will drop, and new growth will stop for a brief period.

For the most part, hibiscus are pretty tolerant. But, because it is a tropical plant, it's best to protect it from temperatures below about 50F (10C) or so. Tropical hibiscus can survive dips in temperature, but may show damage or even die back if it drops below about 35F (1.5C).

This shrubby plant can survive an occasional frost, but its stems and leaves may die back a bit. As long as the roots don't freeze, you can prune the dead parts away, and new growth will sprout in spring.

If your hibiscus is in a pot, then it's easy to bring it indoors and keep it alive as a houseplant over the winter. They aren't too fussy, and don't require much more care than your other houseplants. Just make sure to bring them in before the temperature drops below 60°F outside.

A: Your tropical hibiscus can be kept over the winter in one of two ways — semi-dormant storage or sunny room house plant. You can put it in a garage or shed with minimal light and temperatures just above freezing and water it occasionally so it can survive to grow again next spring.

There are good reasons to keep them potted, such as being able to move them around, but we have also found that hibiscus do very well when planted in the ground in warm climates.

Do I need to cut my hibiscus back for winter? ›

Cut the perennial hibiscus back in late winter or early spring. Leave 6 inches of stem intact to mark its location and protect this late to emerge plant from accidental digging.

For the most part, hibiscus plants can be lightly pruned in late summer or early fall, but no hibiscus pruning should be done during late fall or winter. One of the downsides to waiting later in the season to prune is that plants may not develop as many branches and they will put out fewer blooms.

Cut any dead stems or branches down to about 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm.) in fall, just before applying a protective cover of mulch. Remove the mulch in spring, when you're sure there's no danger of hard freezes. If any branches froze during the winter, cut these to the ground.

You can expect to see a moderate amount of yellow leaves on your hibiscus when you take care of a hibiscus indoors over the winter. This is normal, and the plant is acting normally. If all the leaves have fallen off but the branches are still pliable, your hibiscus has just gone into full dormancy.

Perennial Hibiscus, commonly known as Rose Mallow

Perennial hibiscus are hardy perennials in zones 4-9. Their large stature and dinner plate sized blossoms make them the talk of the neighborhood from midsummer to early fall as they flaunt their tropical looking blossoms.

'In the US the best time to prune is in spring or when the weather starts warming up. Never prune tropical hibiscus in fall as you risk freezing the new and still tender growth. Also, it's recommended to bring your tropical hibiscus inside in winter if it's planted in a pot.

Another way to check is if the flowers are salmon, peach, orange, or yellow, or double flowered, then you probably have a TROPICAL hibiscus. Hardy hibiscus do not come in these colors or in doubles! Many tropical hibiscus flowers have more than one color in a bloom either in bands or as spots.

The hibiscus flower only lasts a day, although many new hybrids have been bred which now last longer, even up to three days. Try not to think of this as a bad thing, many plants bloom only once a year for two or three weeks and then you have to wait a whole year for a repeat performance.

Growth Rate: Perennial hibiscus generally reach mature height within two or three years, and return to that height each year. Best growth occurs when plants have ample moisture. Many hardy hibiscus are capable of blooming the first year from seed started in early spring.

For spectacular flowers and easy care, plant your Rose of Sharon in a spot with good drainage and full sun to partial shade. In northern climates, six or more hours of direct daily sun promotes maximum blooms.

Do hummingbirds like rose of Sharon? ›

Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus, isn't a rose, but its large, flat blossoms and nectar attract hummingbirds and tiny insects that hummers also eat. The flowers on this woody shrub come in several colors, including white, pink, purple, and red.

Rose of Sharon falls under the genus Hibiscus, making it a cousin of other popular Hibiscus varieties. Essentially, all Rose of Sharons are Hibiscus, but not all Hibiscus are Rose of Sharons. The plant traditionally labeled 'Hibiscus' as a common name is actually called Chinese Hibiscus, or Rose of China.

Fertilizing: We recommend you fertilize all your shrubs, evergreens, trees, groundcover, and perennials once every 3 weeks. This should be done during the months of April, May, June, July, and August. We suggest you use Miracle-Gro, a water-soluble fertilizer, or Milorganite, a granular fertilizer.

Hibiscus scentless plant bugs are associated with rose-of-Sharon and hibiscus. They feed on flower buds and seeds using tiny thread-like mouthparts to probe vegetation and seeds and inject saliva. The bugs then suck out the liquefied nutrients.

Pruning rose of Sharon shrub may be done in late fall or winter after leaves drop or in early spring before buds form. Rose of Sharon pruning done later than early spring may cause the loss of some blooms, but those that are not removed will be larger.

Plant rose of Sharon in spring or fall. The plants tend to leaf out a bit late in springtime, so don't be alarmed if yours gets off to a slow start. Space the plants 6 to 10 feet apart; read the tag or label for the exact spacing.

Watering Rose of Sharon in Winter

Whether in a pot or growing in the ground, it's important to make sure your plant has enough water in its system before it freezes. Water thoroughly before an anticipated frost or cold spell. Mulching is helpful to hold warmth in the top layer of the soil.

The blooms of Rose of Sharon, also known as shrub althea, are most welcome since they come during the latter half of the summer and into fall when most flowering shrubs have finished flowering. In most regions where rose of Sharon thrives, the flowers are best in July and August.

Yellowing leaves typically indicates your plant is overwatered! Rose of Sharon requires well-draining soils and is not tolerant of “wet feet”. Try reducing how frequently you irrigate and feel the soil before watering. If the soil feels moist to the touch, skip on watering for now.

The Rose-of-Sharon is an deciduous, upright, occasionally spreading shrub or small tree with multiple trunks. The branches grow upright and wlll not droop except when in flower. The leaves emerge late in the spring. Leaves are medium to dark green in summer with no or poor yellow fall color.

Does rose of Sharon reseed itself? ›

Although rose of sharon commonly reseeds itself, if you're interested in growing your own plants, it is possible to harvest rose of sharon seeds for growing. Learn how to harvest rose of sharon seeds for propagation in this article.

Because rose of Sharon blooms on the current season's growth it should be pruned in late winter. Next winter, remove any new growth from the previous year and an additional third from the existing old growth.

They prefer moist soil and do not tolerate drought. Water regularly and up to twice a day in hotter weather, especially if in a container. Cut water back a bit in colder weather. Water-stressed hibiscus may drop their buds or become more susceptible to insects and disease.

Hibiscus syriacus, more commonly known as “Rose of Sharon,” is a flowering shrub that produces lush pink, purple, or white blooms. It's remarkably low-maintenance, but occasional pruning can help it flourish and lend it a more attractive appearance.

Watering Rose of Sharon in Winter

Whether in a pot or growing in the ground, it's important to make sure your plant has enough water in its system before it freezes. Water thoroughly before an anticipated frost or cold spell. Mulching is helpful to hold warmth in the top layer of the soil.

Potted rose of sharon may need winter protection as well. Either heap mulch or straw over potted plants or wrap with bubble wrap. It's most important that the plant crown be protected in colder climates. Protecting rose of sharon in winter when it's planted in areas of high wind may also be necessary.

Although deadheading isn't a necessary aspect of any tropical hibiscus plant care, removing faded flowers will help maintain the plant's beauty, improve its appearance, develop more blooms, and divert the plant's energy into creating more blooms.