Pretty & Powerful: Hardy Hibiscus

Added on 01 April 2021

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The National Garden Bureau has declared 2021 as "Year of the Hardy Hibiscus." How can you capitalize on this popular shrub? In January and February, we celebrated sunflower and monarda. In its shrub category, the National Garden Bureau has designated 2021 as "Year of the Hardy Hibiscus." We chatted with our friends at PanAmerican Seed, Star Roses and Plants, and Spring Meadow Nursery to discuss what's trending in the category and how growers can capitalize.

Jasmina Dolce, Q: The National Garden Bureau has declared 2021 the "Year of the Hardy Hibiscus." Each year, the organization selects plant categories that are trending and reflect a need in the marketplace. Why do you think hardy hibiscus was chosen for 2021?

Jerry Gorchels, regional account manager, PanAmerican Seed: More consumers are interested in a tropical look for their garden, but of course not everyone is in a tropical climate. So these hardy, tropical-looking varieties have a lot of appeal. They put on quite a remarkable show when they're in full bloom.

Natalie Carmolli, public relations specialist, Spring Meadow Nursery: I think hibiscus in general whether it's hardy, shrub or tropical are a showpiece in any garden or landscape application. They are easy to maintain and it's really quite thrilling to see their enormous, vibrant flowers opening in mid-summer. Plus, they support the pollinator population you haven't seen anything until you've seen a hummingbird battle over them!

Kristen Pullen, woody ornamental product manager, Star Roses and Plants: Hardy hibiscus are very versatile plants due to their wide hardiness range. Not only that, but they produce beautiful flowers with a tropical-like appearance. During a time when an unprecedented number of new gardeners are finding the joy in plants, highlighting a plant that needs little care to produce big results is a great idea.

Q: What are your personal favorite attributes of hardy hibiscus? Do you have any favorite varieties?

Kristen Pullen: I enjoy that hardy hibiscus are easy to grow and that their flowers are so vibrant. Not only that, but their flowers are huge! My favorites are the Head Over Heels hibiscus series. In addition to large, bright flowers they also have deep burgundy foliage, which makes the flower colors pop even more.

Jerry Gorchels: I'm attracted to anything red and white I love the impact of contrasting colors! The size of the blooms of 'Luna White' from PanAmerican Seed has the red eye, which I think is really striking. Plus Luna is hardy in Zones 5a to 9b.

Natalie Carmolli: Hardy hibiscus are kind of miraculous to me in that, at least here in Michigan, they die completely back to the ground and then don't emerge until later in the summer. Honestly, with spring coming up all around, you almost forget they are there. But when they emerge? Get ready for a show. They leap up quickly like they're saying "Hey, remember me? You think those spring flowers are pretty? Hold my beer."

My favorite hardy hibiscus is 'Summerific Holy Grail'. The deep purple, almost black foliage is the perfect backdrop for its huge, burgundy-colored flowers. And once they start flowering, it's like an explosion, with weeks of flowers covering the plant. People walking by my house stop dead in their tracks to look at it when it's in full bloom. Pair that with something like the yellow and chartreuse foliage of Brass Buckle Japanese holly, or Soft Serve Gold false cypress, and you may have to start instituting some crowd control!

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