Syrian hibiscus (garden)

In the spring, at the height of the summer cottage season, at a time when the sale of seedlings of roses and garden plants is unfolding in the markets, we often see unremarkable seedlings, which, according to the sellers, are called "hibiscus". Many of the flower growers know Hibiscus as a houseplant - the Chinese rose, and this confuses them, because it is sold as a garden flower, like hydrangeas, roses and other garden flower crops. This is not surprising at all - the garden hibiscus, which is called "Syrian Hibiscus", is really being sold.

Today, there are about 200 species of various hibiscus in nature, all of them grow in a tropical climate and, unfortunately, they absolutely cannot survive in ours. It can feel pretty good in a temperate climate, of course, provided that for the winter it will be insulated and covered in the same way as it is usually done with garden roses. If in the climate where it is planted winters are quite warm, there is an almost 100% guarantee that the flower will take root and will delight every summer with its unusually beautiful flowering.

Garden hibiscus requires a lot of maintenance. The main condition for planting it in the soil is good lighting. The flower does not like shade, only with a sufficient amount of ultraviolet light will the flower delight you with lush flowering in the garden. Syrian hibiscus perfectly coexists with any varieties of roses. It grows no more than 1.5 meters in height and has a fairly compact shape. Hibiscus is considered an ideal plant for a rose garden or rock garden.

Also, hibiscus looks very good as a single plant when decorating the landscape of the site. If you live in a warm climate, plant lavender bushes around it. It is very beautiful and also the lavender scent will protect the Syrian hibiscus from aphids and insects. This plant exists of 2 types: terry and non-terry varieties. When purchasing a plant, it is worth remembering that terry varieties tolerate winter better and are more frost-resistant.

The Syrian hibiscus does not need any special soil. It takes root well on the same one on which you traditionally plant roses. It must be permeable and nutritious enough.

The flower is usually watered sparingly, as it does not need intensive watering and may even disappear because of this. But you also need to monitor the rate of drying out of the soil, because in summer in hot climates, the flower may need daily watering. During the period of active growth and flowering (June-September), this garden culture needs periodic feeding with garden fertilizers, which have a high phosphorus content. Typically, Syrian hibiscus is poured every two weeks. And so that winter does not become stress for the plant - it is fed with potassium fertilizer in the fall.

If this is your first time starting this plant, it is better to purchase ready-made strong seedlings with a sustainably developed root system. Especially if you want to grow Syrian hibiscus in cold climates. The plant will take root over the summer, get stronger, you prepare it for winter, and it will survive it safely. Despite the fact that the plant is mainly propagated by seedlings by cuttings, there is another option for growing this garden crop - from seeds.They are planted in the soil in the spring, when there are no night frosts and the earth has warmed up enough.

If you decide to grow a flower from a cutting, do it better in the summer. To do this, the cutting is placed in a container filled with water (it is better to close it from direct sunlight, since the root system will break through in the water). And when you see that the roots have appeared, you can safely transplant it into a pot of soil, which you can take in your garden or buy prepared soil in a special store. With the arrival of cold weather, a pot with a seedling is brought into the house, and in the spring it is already quite ready to be planted in open ground.

To achieve abundant flowering, it is necessary not only to properly grow and feed the plant, but also to cut it off. Hibiscus forms buds on young shoots, therefore, the more of them, the more abundant the flowering will be. In order for the plant to give fresh shoots, it is cut 3-4 times a year. The flower tolerates pruning well and responds positively to it. Usually pruned at the end of winter, before the flower begins a period of active growth. Also, the plant is cut off not only in order to create a lush flowering, but also to form a decorative form for the bush.

In the southern regions, where conditions are most suitable for hibiscus and it is found everywhere, you can see various blooming compositions in the form of a cube, ball, pyramid, etc. Due to the compactness of the flower, everyone has the opportunity to plant it on their balcony, terrace or in the winter garden ... And not only in the flower garden.

A distinctive feature of hibiscus is that the life span of its flowers is very short, but despite this, a new one is quickly revealed in the place of the previous one. This is not to be feared. Worse, when the abundant drying of the flowers begins, in this case, the flower most likely does not have enough watering and is in dry ground.

If you really want to have this flower, but live in a harsh climate, you can plant it, but in the winter you will have to dig it up and put it in the basement or in the house until spring. With good care, Syrian hibiscus can continue to bloom in your home during the winter. Hibiscus is a perennial plant and can do without transplanting for up to 20 years.