Tips for Planting a Hibiscus Bush
Choosing a hibiscus bush is a great way to not only fill your garden with beautiful color, but it allows to you fit a hibiscus into a spot that may not be right for a large tree. Some varieties of hibiscus can grow to lengths of 20 feet, and may not fit into the portions of your garden. A hibiscus bush is a great way to create depth and width in your garden, without requiring a very large amount of space. Here are some tips for planting and caring for your hibiscus bush.
Choosing the right type of soil mixture will definitely help your hibiscus to reach its full blooming potential. Choose a soil that drains well and does not have standing water. Sandy soils work great, but compost or other forms of organic matter may need to be added. Clay or poor draining soil will hurt your plant’s growth, so if you live in an area with this type of soil it may help if you plant your bush in a raised garden bed to allow moisture to drain. Mulch may also be helpful in drier climates to help prevent moisture loss and a drying out the roots.
When planting a hibiscus bush, remember to dig deep enough so that the crown of the roots matches the top of soil. Avoid planting the bush too deeply. Small plants should be staked to prevent wind damage. While they can grow among other plants, planting them alone will produce better blooms. These plants require frequent watering, in which the soil is allowed to become thoroughly soaked. Water again once the soil has dried out. Do not overwater hibiscus plants. These plants are extremely susceptible to wet feet problems. Hibiscus plants also love the sunlight. They require full sunlight for several hours each day. They will also grow in partial sun, but again it will affect the size and amount of blooms.
In order to get the most out of your hibiscus bush, it is necessary to prune it. This usually occurs in the fall. The goal of pruning is to produce more growth and blooms as well as keeping the bush in a shape that matches the needs of your garden. Pruning just before new growth occurs for the season will force vigorous growth next season. As a rule you should prune back about 1/3rd of the plant as a whole. If the plant is appearing to be leggy, or not as full, you can prune the entire plant back to the ground and allow it to re-grow fully. Avoid fertilizing the plants too soon after pruning them; they are very susceptible to root system damage from fertilizers. In about 3 weeks you can fertilize with a quality and balanced fertilizer, but avoid overdoing it. Fertilize in lighter amounts with hibiscus plants.
Hibiscus bushes are susceptible to a variety of garden pests, and these pests can really damage the plant’s ability to produce quality blooms. Caterpillars that devour the leaves are one threat, and the flowers can be invaded by the Hibiscus beetle. Check with your local nursery on the best local techniques of ridding your garden of these pests, while reducing possible damage to your plants.
Hibiscus plants produce wide and bright colored flowers that create a beautiful sight during the summer. Maintaining the proper growing conditions will ensure that you get the most out of your hibiscus plants. Too much water, poor sunlight, competition for nutrients from other plants and a lack of pruning will inhibit the blooming ability of the plant, which ruins the entire reason for planting a hibiscus in the first place. Provide your plant with the right growing conditions and you will be thoroughly rewarded come summer time.