'Holy Grail' hardy hibiscus has 8- to 9-inch red flowers with a bright green calyx that pops against the near black maplelike foliage. It grows 48 to 54 inches tall and wide in USDA zones 4 to 9.
For big results with little effort, hardy hibiscus is a great perennial for your summer border. The biggest draw is those gorgeous 8- to 12-inch-diameter flowers - they make quite the statement! You'll find them in shades of pink, red or white with a long pistil and bright yellow anthers that give it some tropical flair. Flowers aren't the only attraction here-hardy hibiscus has good-looking (and disease-free!) deep to olive green or purple foliage. And leaf shapes vary from round to maple-like. These big, usually 3- to 4-foot-tall perennials take up a large footprint in the border and mimic a shrub inhabit.
MEET THE FAMILY Most plants that you'll find at the garden center are hybrids or cultivars of Hibiscus moscheutos. The species and some older varieties tend to be tall and lanky with blooms near the top. But newer breeding efforts are bringing tidier, mounded habits and new flower colors, such as solid white and shades of pink and red with bluer tones. Another big plus to new hybrids is that plants develop buds up and down the stems, and petals overlap instead of having gaps between them. That provides a bigger show of color and helps the flowers stand up to rainy weather better. 'Holy Grail' at right is one example of a newer introduction with stunning red blooms and deep purple foliage. But that's just the beginning-turn the page for more hardy hibiscus inspiration.
Meet More Hardy Hibiscus
Hardy hibiscus
Hibiscus hybrids
Blooms Red, pink, lavender or white blooms from midsummer to fall
Light Full sun to part shade
Soil Moist, well-drained
Denne historien er fra Issue 172 - August 2023-utgaven av Garden Gate.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra Issue 172 - August 2023-utgaven av Garden Gate.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Spinach - Learn the secrets to growing this tasty green in spring and fall.
If you're one of those gardeners who can't wait to get started in spring and hates to throw in the trowel in fall, spinach is the perfect shoulder season crop. This mild, earthy-flavored green comes in many varieties, ranging from crinkly-leafed savoys to slightly textured semi-savoys and the flat, smooth-leafed types. Colors can be dark green, light green and even red-veined. Here's how to get the most of it every year.
Why Bulb Depth Matters - Dig deep enough to ensure your plants stand tall and live the longest
When you're planting bulbs, it's tempting to just dig a hole as deep as your trowel will reach easily, nestle the bulb in, cover it up and move on. But the fact is, each type of bulb will flower best and thrive at a different depth.A good rule of thumb is to plant a bulb two to three times its height. One reason planting depth is important is because it helps to keep the bulbs protected from fluctuations in temperature that happen closer to the surface.
GARDEN ESSENTIALS
FALL GARDEN CLEANUP TOOLS
Saving Seeds
Saving flower seeds is a great way to get more plants with almost no investment. It's easy to do. Here's how to save seeds from some of your favorite annuals as the growing season winds down.
Cucumber Trellis Flop
I watched cucumber trellis growers online for several seasons with envy. What a brilliant way to save space in raised garden beds and make it look fancy! Finally, I was sold and decided to try it in my garden.
9 Tough Perennials for Clay Soil
Whether you garden in the nutrient-poor red clay of the Southeast, the calcium combined-with-clay caliche of the West or something in between, the common denominator is that clay soil is difficult to grow in. Why? Tiny particles of clay hold tightly together, slowing drainage and limiting the amount of oxygen that can reach plant roots. You've seen the resultsanemic-looking or rotting plants.
Garden Fences
Discover the perfect blend of functionality, style, and materials for your ideal fence.
A GARDEN OF STORIES
Learn plant and project tips from a couple who's been gardening here for nearly 50 years.
Switchgrass
Adaptable switchgrass goes with the flow.
Establish a Monarch Waystation
Did you know that a single monarch butterfly can migrate up to 3,000 miles? That's a lot of ground to cover! This amazing insect makes a fascinating journey, unlike any other butterfly.
