Even if you can buy flowering hibiscus bushes in specialist stores from summer to autumn, you should not plant the potted plants directly in the garden. The reason lies in the origin of these plants.
When is the ideal planting time for hibiscus?
The best time to plant hibiscus is in spring when the soil has reached a minimum temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. Fall planting is possible but risky as the hibiscus may not have enough time to grow before winter.
When is hibiscus in season?
The garden market offers garden hibiscus as potted products at different times of the year. The flowering period of the different varieties begins in June or July and extends into autumn. Therefore, the plants are mainly offered in August or September when the plants are in full bloom. The advantage of potted products is that they are independent of traditional planting times. You can cultivate the shrub in the pot until it is the right time of year to plant it out in the garden.
Notes on planting times
Species from the genus Hibiscus come from the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are not adapted to the Central European winter climate, although many varieties still grow outdoors all year round. In order to survive the cold season unscathed, they must be well established in the location. This takes time.
Autumn planting
In principle, it is possible for you to put the plants in the garden immediately after purchasing them. However, planting in autumn is not recommended because the ornamental shrubs no longer have enough time to grow until the onset of winter. If you choose this planting date, you should pay attention to good weather.
Sunny autumn days, when the ground is still sufficiently warm, promote the subsequent phase of root development. Think about good winter protection. A mulch layer of autumn leaves, brushwood and compost protects the root ball from frost. Ground cover plants are an aesthetic alternative that permanently ensure an even soil climate after they have grown in.
Spring planting
Ideally, you should pot the product in a large bucket and overwinter it in a frost-free room. When the sun has warmed the ground sufficiently in spring, the hibiscus can be moved outdoors. The substrate should have a minimum temperature of 15 degrees Celsius so that the marshmallow feels comfortable. The long establishment period until the next winter has a positive effect on resistance, although you should still ensure good protection from the cold in the first two years.
How to plant correctly:
- Dig a planting hole that is twice the diameter of the root ball
- Mix the excavated material with compost and insert an ornamental shrub
- Pot ball is flush with the soil surface
- Fill the gaps with soil mixture and start well
- Cover the soil with mulching material and water the substrate thoroughly
Site conditions
The garden hibiscus, behind which the large-flowered marshmallow hides, prefers sunny areas or shady places. A nutritious and humus-rich subsoil with fresh to moist conditions is important. Light soils that dry out quickly and cannot retain nutrients are unsuitable. You can improve such substrates with compost.
