- Hibiscus
Botanical name: hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Beginner friendly?: yes
Average size at maturity: up to 8 ft in height and 5 ft in width
Bloom time: spring, summer, fall
Hardy zone: zones 9-11
Flower color: white, yellow, pink, orange, red,
Foliage color: green
Growth rate: can grow 2 ft a year
Pruning instructions: prune in the early spring to contain growth. Always keep 2-4 bud on each branch from the previous growing season
Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge
Landscape use: commonly used as a taller backdrop for smaller flowering plants
Light needs: at least 6 hours of sunlight a day
Special features: medical benefits
Watering instructions: likes consistently moist soil
Fertilizing instructions : mix a powdery slow-release fertilizer into the soil of the plant once a year in the early spring
Best time to plant: spring
Best type of soil: loam, sand
Companion plants: butterfly bush, daylily, sweet potato vine
Toxicity level: non-toxic for humans and mildly toxic for pets if ingested
Invasive species: no
