Tropical hibiscus must be protected from cold Texas winter temperatures.
The genus Hibiscus includes a wide variety of flowering plants that include both tropical and hardy types, with flowers that can be flared or fringed, single or double, and come in a variety of colors. Hibiscus can be a tree form, a shrub or a woody perennial that dies to the ground each winter. Tropical varieties are hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 9 and must be protected from cold temperatures, according to Danny Lipford. These would only be suitable only for the most southern portions of Texas unless brought indoors for winter. Hardy varieties are hardy to zone 5 and can survive outdoors year-round throughout the state. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Plant hardy hibiscus in full sun in rich soil. The plant will tolerate some light afternoon shade.
2. Add organic matter like sphagnum peat moss when setting plants.
3. Keep soil moist for the first year to establish plants fully, but do not overwater.
4. Spray plants with insecticidal soap if aphids, small plant-sucking insects, appear.
5. Fertilize hardy hibiscus with a high-phosphorus, organic fertilizer like bone meal monthly to encourage blooming.
6. Mulch plants to preserve roots over winter. Mulch 12 inches deep in very cold climates like zone 4. Use only a few inches of mulch for zone 8. Wood chips or bark are good mulch choices.
7. Prune hardy hibiscus back by 1/3 in early spring to encourage blooms.
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