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Earliest flowering of the perennial hibiscus?

16 years ago

With living in zone 3, our first autumn frosts hit around mid Sept ... yeah, I know that's way too early! I've often wanted to attempt some of the moscheutos types, though was wondering what varieties are the earliest to come into flower? I had seen someone's posted photos of 'Sweet Caroline' flowering freely in August in zone 5. To get these plants off to an earlier spring start, I would place them up against the south side of my house, and this would also help keep the roots warm during winter.

Would appreciate knowing your favorite early bloomers ... Thanks!

Terry

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Comments (6)

hitexplanter
16 years ago
I would think you might want to try some of the 'Luna' series of hardy hibiscus. I see some available from Park Seed. They are not cheap but once you have a baby or two growing you can sometimes get seed from it. They bloom first year from seed if started in the Jan- Feb time frame.
Good Luck and Happy Growing David
FrozeBudd_z3/4
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks David, I was thinking of giving the Luna series a try.

Terry
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Just FYI: H. moscheutos, aka Rose Mallow, is the main herbaceous perennial species, although most of the newer varieties are hybrids of this one and others. These are typically hardy to zone 5. H. rosa-sinensis is the "tropical" house or patio plant. There are dozens of varieties. H. syriacus is the shrub aka Rose of Sharon. FWIW, one of my favourite of the hardy perennial types, is a white-flowered form called 'Blue River II'. The flowers were pure white, and they continued for an extended period compared with others.
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ok, first of all i am no expert! But i had the same kind of problem. A couple of my bushes got to around 5 feet and started looking bad, so i cut them way back. I think with the heat and lack of water i did them a favor. They are growing back slowly not don't have any blooms yet, so i can't answer you queation about the size of the flowers. Hope this helps
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Sorry to be a pain in the pattutti, but, your Habiscus, you said you mulch heavy. I have a zone 8 hardy hibiscus. Does it need indoors for winter ALL THE TIME? The one you have and mulch heavily is it a really hardy strain or can I POSSIBLY plant mine in the ground with good protection? I know you can't say definitely yeds or no, but the plants you have and your experience caring for them. Your best guess, a Hibiscus from a big box store in a pot. Have you been successful in overwintering a zone 7-8 hibiscus with mulch and burlap wrap or Styrofoam box with a fluorescent bulb or 2?
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I've never found any of Canada not pretty. When I was a child and my aunt in Washington took us across the border to a zoo (sorry don't remember which/where), I remarked (even at 11 I think) on how well taken care of the properties looked (unlike what I was used to). My aunt explained that there was a tax break for the property looking nice (or something).
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arctictropical
16 years ago
I'm typcially in zone 4 but have seen -45 F. and -39 F. temperatures at my home. They all seem to bloom about the same time for me, although some of the newer varieties like "Moy Grande" bloom later. Here are some pictures of some of the many varities I have grown for years.
FrozeBudd_z3/4
Original Author
16 years ago
Arctictropical, thank you for posting the awesome photos!Would you possibly be able to name the plants shown and the earliest to flower? Can plants be in flower in August? Thanks ...

Terry
arctictropical
16 years ago
Thanks Terry.

Here are the names in order of appearance:

Sweet Caroline
Moy Grande
Lord Baltimore
Raspberry Rose
Ann Arundel (or Garden Pink?)

I might be able to dig up pictures of other varieties if you wish to see some others. They all seem to start blooming the beginning of August until frost in zone 4 except Moy Grande. Moy Grande is about two weeks later and blooms on plants that reach up to between 6 and 7 feet high. Most are about 5 to 6 feet high, although Lord Baltimore and Raspberry Rose gets almost as tall as Moy Grande.
Fleur
16 years ago
Wow, those are spectacular. Do you ever save seed and have it to trade?

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