Art in the garden: There is a hibiscus for your landscape

Hibiscus are heat-loving beauties at their prime in mid to late summer. Their large, exotic looking blooms add a showy splash of color to almost any sunny location. Choose from tropical, perennial or woody species — all are sure to brighten up your patio or garden.

Tropical types

The tropical varieties of hibiscus are handsome, glossy-leafed plants perfect for container culture on a sunny patio or deck. Their brilliant funnel-shaped flowers are four or five inches across and are available in shades of red, pink, yellow, white or bicolored, all with showy, prominent stamens. Their bushy, rounded habit is an added bonus, staying neat and attractive throughout the summer. Some tropical varieties are available in tree form. These make an impressive statement in large urns on either side of a doorway, or as a focal point in a grouping of patio pots.

When planted in lots of sun, hibiscus are not difficult to care for. Water regularly and fertilize monthly during the growing season. Although the tropical species are not hardy here, it is possible to overwinter them indoors in a bright location. Be sure to acclimatize your plants before bringing them inside by moving them to a shadier location for several days before the move.

It is also a good idea to spray them with an insecticidal soap to be sure you aren't bringing in any unwanted critters, like whiteflies or aphids. Once indoors for the winter, provide humidity with a humidifier or by grouping plants together. Water sparingly and do not fertilize until you start seeing new growth in late winter or early spring.

After all danger of frost is over, reintroduce your plants to the outside, again acclimatizing them in a shady, protected spot before moving them to the full sun.

Perennial varieties

Although Hibiscus moscheutos, or perennial hibiscus, is related to the tropical species, it is a hardy perennial here and is actually native to the East Coast. What it shares with its more tender relatives is a love of warm temperatures and very showy flowers — huge flowers. Depending on the variety, the blossoms of this hibiscus can be up to 12 inches across. Flowers bloom from mid summer until frost, and may be red, pink, purple, white or yellow; some are bicolored.

The lobed leaves are large, too, and give the plants a bold texture. Leave lots of room for this impressive perennial. Plant it at the back of a border, as a specimen or focal point, or as a summertime screening plant — it grows up to six feet tall. Because of its large size and imposing look, this Hibiscus is a good choice to mix into the shrub border, as well.

Despite its tall stature, perennial hibiscus does not need staking. Its sturdy stems stand upright, even in windy areas. It prefers full sun and an organic soil, and tolerates moist conditions. Do remember that — like its tropical relatives — it loves warm temperatures. It will be among the last of the perennials to emerge in the spring.

Lord Baltimore has bright red flowers; Hearthrob is a newer variety with seductive dark red blooms; and Jazzberry Jam has spunky magenta flowers with ruffled edges.

Woody Hibiscus

Hibiscus syriacus, more commonly known as rose of Sharon, is a deciduous shrub that is sometimes trained into a tree form. It is valued for its large, showy, late-season, single or double flowers in shades of red, white, pink, and lavender to blue. Most varieties grow eight to 12 feet tall with green foliage that holds until late in the season. It is often used in the shrub border, in groupings, or as a screen or hedging plant.

Like its perennial and tropical relatives, rose of Sharon prefers warm weather and does not show growth until temperatures have warmed up in the spring. It prefers a location in full sun to partial shade, and a moist, well-drained, organic soil.

It is tolerant of drier conditions, also, but is more subject to spider mite attacks under those conditions. Any pruning that needs to be done should be accomplished in early spring. If larger flowers are desired, cut plants back to two to three buds at that time.

Whether you choose a tropical, perennial or woody type of hibiscus, their large dramatic flowers will add a color boost to your summer landscape.

Ÿ Diana Stoll is a horticulturist and the garden center manager at The Planter's Palette, 28W571 Roosevelt Road, Winfield. Call (630) 293-1040, ext. 2, or visit planterspalette.com.