How do you use your hibiscus?

I have a few hibiscus, but they are very new, and very small. I have one lovely plain yellow that is a Lowes special that is a bit older, and have it up against some fencing to show it off, but its only about 3 feet tall. How do you guys plant them, in groupings? Against a wall? As a centerpiece? Do they get really tall or generally stay at a bush height?

I keep mine in containers, I group them so they're all together on some tiered wire shelving which lives on my front deck for the summer and goes in the greenhouse for the winter. Most of them will get tall if you don't prune them, typical height is probably about 6-8 ft but if you want them shorter and don't mind pruning them and sacrificing some blooms from time to time you could keep them smaller than that.

Oh my I didnt realize that would get that tall. Well, that gives me some options I havent thought of. Im glad I can prune them, also, without losing too many blooms.

The trouble I run into is that most of the year they have some buds on them, so there's really no time that you can prune them without sacrificing some blooms. But since they bloom on new growth you'll get more buds, you just have to have a little patience!

Do they only bloom on new growth? Do they need to be pruned periodically because of that?

Hi Kathy
I'm pretty sure they only bloom on new growth (at least that's what I've always seen). You'll notice that each variety has its own growing habits and some branch nicely and others need some encouragement (pruning). I tend to prune mine in late spring/early summer because they don't seem to bloom as often in the hot summer and it doesn't feel like your missing out on lots of blooms compared to the frequency of blooms in autumn and winter. That way it gives the plants plenty of time to grow and develop new buds for the fall. In regards to where to plant in the ground just keep in mind the height of a mature plant. Since they can get fairly tall perhaps planting them in the back of a flower bed with shorter things in front works good. Another option may be to plant them in the middle of a flower bed with shorter things planted all around them. My initial mistake was to plant them a little too close to one another. Now I tend to plant them about 5-6 feet apart. Hope this info/advice helps.

Jon

Hi, Jon,
Great advice. I have got to remember that summertime is their "down time". Hard for this transplanted Yankee to remember that, but Im finally figuring out that the fall and spring are the best times to grow, not only flowers, but veggies too. Ive got 3 hibiscus blooming now, its so lovely to see them in the morning.

Hi Kathy

Transplanted Yankee here also (grew up in Ithaca, NY). Yes the fall here in FL gives us so many options to plant new things that will do well throughout the winter and spring seasons. I always "run out of space" in the yard every winter.

Jon

I moved down from NJ about 9 years ago. My roses look the best they have looked all year long, beautiful blooms, clean leaves; I even have tomatoes and pepper plants looking good. This is a wonderful time of year down here....tho there really isnt any time of year down here that I dont appreciate. All my friends up north whine about how can I stand the heat down here. Well Ive got a news flash for them....it gets just as hot up there as down here, and they have the miserable winter to contend with. No thank you, Ill stay right here.

That's funny Kathy. My hybrid tea roses have been doing really well lately also. I even have a Reblooming Bearded Iris that now has buds again. Theres lots of red and green leaf lettuce thats near maturity and I'm attempting to grow artichokes for the first time. The plants are growing and seem to be doing alright. I have to admit I do get tired of the summer heat by about August but know that things will change shortly after.

Jon