“Tropical Hibiscus” is a term widely used to describe cultivars of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, a member of the plant family Malvaceae. Also known informally as Chinese Hibiscus or China Rose, hibiscus varieties are widely grown as ornamental flowering plants. Over 10,000 varieties have been created by hybridizing, many of those by amateur garden hobbyists. Continue reading About Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Category Archives: Gardening
Fighting Summer Heat Wilt
Tropical Hibiscus grown in very hot, sunny areas such as the Gulf Coast may struggle with heat & dehydration during mid-summer afternoons. In direct sunlight in temperatures of 95F or more, no matter how much you water, some plants may not be able to transfer water for the roots to the leaves fast enough to prevent wilting. Wilting is the most visible result of plant stress from lack of water. Continue reading Fighting Summer Heat Wilt
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Mulch Hibiscus to fight Summer Heat
Hibiscus like warm days, even hot days, but they do not like scorching mid-summer heat. In the mid-day sun, leaves will wilt and blooms quickly shrivel, unless the plants have plenty of moisture and at least some shade. Mulching around hibiscus plants helps prevent soil from drying out quickly, and may keep the roots a little cooler.
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Snails & Slugs, ugh!
Whenever we get a few days of rain during the summer, local snail and slug populations practically explode. The little nuisances show up on sidewalks, walls, windows, and worst of all for gardeners.. they eat hibiscus leaves and blooms! Snails & slugs are related species, and both thrive in high hot, humidity areas. Even without rain, automatic sprinkler systems can combine with warm weather to create ideal habitat for these critters.
Continue reading Snails & Slugs, ugh!
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Location, location..
With thousands of different cultivars developed over the years, there is considerable variation in the growth habits of hibiscus plants. It may take a little experimentation to find just the right location and micro-climate in your yard, especially for finicky show-quality exotics.
Continue reading Location, location..