Hibiscus syryjska Hibiscus syriacus is a long-known ornamental shrub that blooms in summer. The many varieties are so beautiful that it is difficult to imagine that they could be more beautiful than them. And yet!In recent years, plant breeders have done a lot to amaze us again.Among the most wonderful new forms are mainly the semi-double-flowered Chiffon varieties. Compared to the older full hibiscus varieties, they are distinguished not only by their charming flowers, but also by their vigorous development and surprisingly dense habit.
The Syrian hibiscus is also commonly called garden hibiscus.It comes from regions of Asia with a temperate climate and tolerates even greater frosts well. It is rather difficult to confuse it with the completely non-frost-resistant Chinese rose Hibiscus rosasinensis, a popular potted shrub. Some garden owners, after unsuccessful cultivation attempts, consider the Syrian hibiscus to be a plant that is not very reliable, it does not tolerate our coldest winters badly.However, if we give it the right position, it will quickly turn out to be one of the most beautiful flowering shrubs.
Garden hibiscus will grow well and bloom luxuriantly if we provide it with a place that is warm and sunny, and also sheltered from the wind as much as possible. The substrate should be permeable, rich in humus, without persistent moisture for a long time. Young hibiscus specimens are primarily susceptible to frost.In the first winter, spread dry leaves or bark in a thick layer around the plant planted in autumn, and cover the shoots with spruce or fir branches.In regions with harsher climates, it is recommended to plant hibiscus in the spring.
The first flowers of garden hibiscus develop in full summer and bloom tirelessly for many weeks. The most tenacious varieties are decorated with flowers from July to October. Several varieties with shorter and different flowering periods can be used to obtain a composition that blooms until late autumn.The shrub shows its full beauty in a mixed bed in the company of perennials that like strong sunlight.Reaching a height of 1.5 to 2.5 m, the plant is clearly visible even in the surroundings of magnificent, beautifully flowering perennials, such as e.g. Echinops, Rudbeckia or Dziwiszan.
The Syrian hibiscus is a shrub that grows quite slowly. If we buy a small young plant cheaply, we must patiently wait a few years to be able to admire its full beauty. Our patience will be rewarded when the bush is covered with a whole bunch of wonderfully developed flowers for the first time. It is best to choose highly expanding specimens propagated by vaccination. However, in this case, from time to time we have to find and cut out the wild shoots growing from the rootstock, so that they do not obscure and drown out the valuable ornamental variety.
In the mixed group of shrubs Buddleja and St. John's wort Hypericum 'Hidcote' are wonderful partners of garden hibiscus. Hibiscus planted between shrubs blooming in spring and early summer does not have to compete with them, and besides, such an arrangement of plants significantly extends the flowering period of the entire group.
The Syrian hibiscus is an excellent shrub for formed hedges. They are pruned in spring, giving the shrubs a rounded shape.They will bloom on this year's shoots, covering the hedge with a whole lot of flowers and compensating for the lack of leaves in winter with this wonderful sight.
New and beautiful varieties of hibiscus
The varieties from the Chiffon series stand out with their half-double flowers of fascinating beauty. The Lavender Chiffon with bright pink flowers 10-12 cm in diameter is very impressive.Partially covered red veins on the petals are a distinctive feature of the white flowers of 'China Chiffon'.
'White Chiffon' delights with its snow-white petals. Due to its strong growth, 'Marina' is one of the most valuable blue hibiscus. 'Helene' has single white flowers with a large red spot in the center. 'Pink Giant' boasts flowers with a diameter of up to 12 cm and a height of 2.5 m.
