If you want to decorate your garden with a luxurious hibiscus, you need to know some of the nuances of planting and caring for it. We'll also be sure to explore garden hibiscus, its photos, and how it overwinters in different temperature zones.
The tropics have long gifted us with many wonderful plants, which, thanks to the efforts of breeders, have adapted remarkably to our harsh conditions and delight gardeners with their beauty and fragrance. Among these is hibiscus, the most popular of which is the Syrian variety, or simply "garden hibiscus." This is what we'll be discussing. This plant is particularly well-suited to our conditions and can even overwinter in the garden, if properly managed.
Take another look, Clematis varieties for the Moscow region, description, photos.
In warmer regions, hibiscus doesn't even need to be covered for the winter. But that's only if your winter frosts don't exceed -5°C. In harsher climates, hibiscus requires special preparation and cover.
How to prepare hibiscus for winter
In warmer climates, we do the following: prune the bush hibiscus back to the stump—it grows from the root, so it won't need the old branches next year; new ones will grow back completely. Then, fill it with soil, cover it with leaves, and let it overwinter. In the spring, rake it all out, give the roots access to light and warmth, and they'll immediately begin to sprout new branches.
In harsher winters, a more secure shelter should be provided, for example, by constructing a hut-like structure of branches over a mound of earth, or, even better, by covering it with spruce branches. Spruce branches prevent the roots from freezing during thaws and reliably trap snow, trapping it in air and allowing oxygen to reach the plant. In winters over 10°C (10°F), the bush should also be covered with spunbond or its substitutes, especially for arborescent hibiscus, which grows into a tree up to 2 meters or more tall. It thrives especially well in the black earth region and grows well in Tatarstan, where it can even be planted from seed. However, it will bloom later than if planted from layered cuttings.
Another option: if your hibiscus is a bush, you can easily dig it up in the fall, plant it in a tub, and place it on an insulated balcony for the winter. In the spring, simply take it out to a designated spot, along with the root ball, dig a hole wide enough for the roots to spread out freely, water it, and plant it so the roots reach the very top, allowing access to light and air. Therefore, if you're interested in how hibiscus overwinters in the Moscow region, you need to understand these rules.
Watch the video on how to grow and preserve herbaceous garden hibiscus for the winter.
Herbaceous hibiscus: planting and care
This variety of hibiscus is easy to care for, and wintering in warmer climates is no problem at all. Simply trim it back to 5 cm, cover it with a soil-sand mixture, and layer it with pine needles. It will overwinter beautifully, delighting you with its lush blooms in the spring. In dry climates, it needs frequent watering; just be sure to keep an eye on the soil so it doesn't dry out. In humid climates, it doesn't require frequent watering. However, if you notice leaves or even buds dropping, you should definitely increase the watering. It's also important to plant it in a location away from wind and sun. Collect seeds, and you can propagate your beauty in other areas. However, the best method is to take cuttings, soak them in water to develop a panicle of roots, and then replant them in the desired location.
See also: Plastic bottle crafts for the garden: photos and descriptions.
Hibiscus arborescens
If you have a tree hibiscus, it requires certain conditions for overwintering. When November or December arrives and light frosts (down to -5-10°C) set in, build a frame and stretch lutrasil. In mild winters, this is sufficient. However, in harsher winters, additional shelter is essential, especially if there's little snow. However, keep in mind that the warm nest you've created for your pet hibiscus can easily become a haven for rodents, who, basking near the tree, will begin gnawing at its bark, thus losing your beautiful hibiscus until spring. To prevent this, place mousetraps in the shelter or sprinkle poisoned grain on it.
Hibiscus cultivation techniques
Breeders advise the following steps to grow and preserve hibiscus:
- The right landing spot
- Regular fertilizing and soil moisture
- Mandatory preparation for winter
- Protection against aphids (especially hibiscus) and diseases.
If you choose a good planting location, your garden pet can grow for up to 20 years without requiring replanting, especially if the soil is nutritious enough.
When replanting hibiscus in spring, you need to prepare:
- 2 parts good turf soil
- The same amount of leaf soil
- 2 times less humus
- And the same amount of sand (it is better to take a large fraction)
Next, pour half a bucket of water into the large prepared hole. Once the water has soaked in, arrange the plant's roots comfortably, keeping in mind that the topmost shoots should be level with the surface. Next, add soil, firm it down, and water. This should be done when the plant is full of life, in early spring, before it begins to bloom. When repotting, be sure to leave the root ball in place to avoid damaging the roots.
Watch the video on how to grow young hibiscus bushes.
Ornamental hibiscus
Many people grow hibiscus beautifully in tubs, planting several varieties of different flowers in a tub. They intertwine to create a unique, beautiful decor that is pleasing to the eye.
Care nuances
Pruning is essential to shape the crown, and for sanitary purposes, it's also necessary to remove old branches that interfere with growth and drain beneficial sap, but this should all be done before the sap begins to flow. However, there are other pruning methods for hibiscus, including:
- Stimulating, which, as we said, is done in early spring
- Thinning (removing dry, dead branches and weakened shoots)
- Autumn, after flowering
Diseases
Hibiscus's biggest predator is aphids. You can prevent them from reaching your favorite plant by spraying it with ash, planting lavender nearby, or adding potassium and manganese to your fertilizer.
So, you already know how garden hibiscus overwinters in the garden, and you can easily protect your favorite plant from troubles and prolong its growth and flowering.
See also: Calendula - growing from seeds, when to plant.