Summer in Paradise Hibiscus

Size

If you are looking for a bit of the tropics for your garden, Summer in Paradise hardy hibiscus is the perfect choice. Although a North America native perennial, the large flowers convey an exotic tropical look and feel. Deep red buds unfurl to 7 to 8 inch wide flowers with overlapping petals. Summer in Paradise blooms top to bottom, an improvement over many older varieties, which have flowers only at the top. Also called rose mallow, Summer in Paradise gets about 4 feet tall and wide. Consider using it as a summer shrub. These sun-loving plants prefer moist, well-drained soil. Regular watering will keep Summer in Paradise blooming. Butterflies visit this plant, which starts blooming in midsummer and keeps the show into early fall. Hardy hibiscus is deer resistant. Summer in Paradise Hibiscus Care Grow in full sun. This would be a good selection for a sunny spot in your landscape that may stay wet for a few days, or a rain garden. In nature, this species grows along the banks of rivers and creeks. Each flower lasts a day and removing spent blooms keeps the plant tidy. Hardy hibiscus is one of the last perennials to break ground, so dont worry if you dont see new growth until late spring or early summer. The perennials fast growth makes up for any lost time. Mulching well the first winter is recommended. Cut back to the ground in late fall or early spring. Loppers will probably work better than hand pruners for cutting the stems. Be on the lookout for a couple of insects on hardy hibiscus. Japanese beetles and hibiscus sawfly favor these plants. Knock off the beetles into a bucket of soapy water and dump the water. Inspect the undersides of the leaves for sawfly larva and brush them off or remove heavily infested leaves. Summer in Paradise Hibiscus Spacing Use it as a thriller in a summer pot. Space about 40 inches apart in the landscape. Use as a specimen plant in a perennial garden or mixed in with shrubs.