A Stroll Through the Garden: Hibiscus outside and inside - Akron Beacon Journal

One of the disciplines that I have taken on as a landscape designer and a landscaper is that I feel it’s important to refresh yourself at events, taking classes, or by reading books that pertain to my profession.

A few years ago, I went to the CENTS show, or Central Equipment Nursery Trade Show, in Columbus — one of the premier landscaper shows in the country. I saw many new and exciting plants, equipment and supplies.

Over the past 10 years I have I have been to most of them. Have you noticed all the new and exciting plants that are out there?

A few years ago, I noticed that plant breeders were taking an interest in our classic late summer beauty the Rose-Of-Sharon, or the scientific name Hibiscus Syriacus. There really are a bunch of new varieties out there on the market.

One nursery in Lake county that I enjoy working with lists 12 different varieties of Rose-of-Sharon. There are now 421 different varieties Rose-of-Sharon known. This nursery lists colors ranging from white to dark blue including pink, white, orange and red. Variety for a designer is important.

Sometime ago a friend of my wife from work, a lady from Apple Creek, asked me about whether pink Hibiscus could be grown outside all year long. Seriously, there are many different varieties of Hibiscus as we have just discussed and a variety of pink colors ranging from a dark pink like fuschia to just a light pink white combination. There are some pink Hibiscuses that can and do grow in our climate outside. The only problem is that you should find out whether the plant is tropical or can grow here. Winter won’t last much longer so this season maybe you just look at transplanting the Hibiscus into your yard. Keep in mind that we may be in a warmer new zone.

For my readers, you need to test the soil and find out how much nutrients you have in the soil already. Given the fact that most of us don’t fertilize anything we need to tell our friend first fertilize. What I recommend is add a moderate amount of organic fertilizer that can have a positive effect on the plant. You can be amazed at just how fast things can turn around for your plants, if you want to raise a healthy plant.

Both too much water and too little water can cause yellow leaves and be a problem. Hibiscus plants require lots of water during periods of excessive heat or windy conditions but can suffer from having too much water. Ideally, you should water just enough to keep the soil moist, not soggy. Yellow leaves can develop from poor drainage. I have always recommended the finger test. If you push your index finger in the soil up to your first knuckle and sense your finger is moist your fine, if soggy you have a problem.

Hibiscus also needs to have full sun. I recommended that my wife’s friend should move her Hibiscus to a south wall, to get the optimum amount of sunshine. If you have lost the bloom, leaves and looks a little wilted, don’t worry too much. Your plant may have gone into dormancy. Prune back the plant a little and it should come back.

I sure have enjoyed the blooms out in my yard this year. The show has been spectacular over the years I have had roses, pinks, oranges and many more colors of Hibiscus. Please email me at ewlarson546@yahoo.com with your issues. I shall do the best I can to help with your plant problems. You can find my columns as blogs on www.ohiohealthyfoodcooperative.org and leave comments if you choose.

— Eric Larson, a Jeromesville-based landscape designer, writes the weekly A Stroll Through The Garden column.