Have you decided to expand your garden with one or two hibiscus bushes? This doesn't surprise us at all, because it really is a wonderful specimen that not only impresses with its long flowering period and, above all, quantity, but is also very easy to care for once it gets used to it. To give the shrubs a perfect start, whether as solitary plants or for a hibiscus hedge, you should of course also plant them correctly. We have summarized here when and how exactly you should plant a hibiscus in the garden and what mistakes you should avoid.
The flowering shrub can thrive in our home gardens without any problems. So if your plant has died in the past without being bothered by disease, you can assume that you have made a mistake. Therefore, keep the following in mind when planting a hibiscus in the garden:
The wrong time: when to plant hibiscus?
A common mistake that hobby gardeners often make is choosing the wrong time to plant. When should you plant hibiscus in the garden?
Spring is ideal for planting a hibiscus bush because this plant loves warmth and light. After the Ice Saints, when there is no longer any danger of frost, is optimal. Then it still has enough time until the end of the season to root well and settle in the new location, which would not necessarily be guaranteed in the fall.
However, surviving the winter is not impossible when planting in autumn, as the shrub is not overly sensitive. You can help it get through the winter by applying frost protection to the root area. Either plant ground coveraround the trunkor lay down a thick layer of mulch.
Also read:Propagate hibiscus in water: the easiest method!
By properly preparing the soil, planting hole and soil, you will help the plant get used to it and give it strength to grow. How to proceed:
Planting hibiscus in the garden – avoid the wrong location
First of all, the final size of the marshmallow plays an important role, because after a few years you don't want to find that it is getting too crowded or that it is disturbing other garden plants with its size and then having to cut it down and replant it. Two species are suitable for the garden in our climate regions and differ in their growth:
- TheGarden MarshmallowGrows as a shrub and reaches an impressive height of up to 3 meters. It is also very impressive in its width. Diameters of around 2 meters are the standard for him.
- ThePerennial hibiscushowever, is significantly more compact. With a height of approx. 2 meters and a diameter of 30 centimeters, it is also well suited for smaller areas. In this species, the above-ground parts of the plant die off at the end of the season, after which the perennial sprouts again in spring.
A common mistake regarding the location is that the following things are not taken into account:
- The shrub needs full sun.
- Since the plant is sensitive to strong winds, it needs a place protected from the wind.
- A sandy-loamy soil is best.
- The flowering shrub prefers slightly alkaline to acidic soil.
It is the first two points that are often underestimated and neglected and ultimately lead to the death of the plant. Therefore, you should not make this mistake, but rather respond to the needs of the shrub.
Also very useful:Get rid of lice on hibiscus naturally and reliably
Prepare the planting hole step by step before
Once you have found the perfect location, you can prepare it for planting. This is how you proceed when you plant a hibiscus in the garden:
- To find the right size of the hole, simply use the root ball of your new garden plant as a guide. In principle, the hole should be twice as large in diameter so that there is enough loose soil around the root ball to make it easier for the shrub to grow its roots through. Also dig the hole a little deeper than the height of the bale.
- It is best to mix the soil that you have dug up for this purposewith compost. In this way, you can give the hibiscus a portion of nutrients that promote healthy and successful growth.
- Place the bush in the middle and straight in the hole.
- Fill in the gaps around the root ball with the excavation from before. Press the soil firmly with your foot, add more soil if necessary and press everything down again. Continue like this until you get a flat surface.
- Now spread a layer of mulch above the root area. This protects the soil underneath from drying out, which promotes growth.Tipp:If you chose autumn to plant the hibiscus in the garden, make the layer thicker to protect the roots from frost.
- Water the garden marshmallow or perennial hibiscus abundantly and do not allow the soil to dry out in the coming weeks. Regular watering is particularly important in the first year of planting.
Cut the hibiscus bush - when and how
In the first year, cutting the marshmallow is unnecessary unless you notice dried branches. Otherwise, you can carry out regular pruning once a year starting next early spring. These are primarily used for topiary cutting and the shoots can be shortened to four or five eyes. You can also use this moment to thin out the plant a little if necessary. If you are considering a radical cut for any reason (e.g. for rejuvenation), choose late spring. However, keep in mind that it will take a while for the shrub to become as bushy as it was.
What happens with cuts in summer and late summer?find out here.
