Cool New Shrubs To Grow in Your Yard

HibisQs Tropical Hibiscus

New from Costa Farms, this line features something hibiscus are not known for: long-lasting flowers.

While a typical hibiscus flower lasts a day, those on HibisQs persist for two, three or even four days, depending on the variety and the climate. Plants also have better branching for a fuller, lusher look that offers more flowers over the growing season.

“In frost-free regions, HibisQs varieties are excellent flowering hedges, foundation plants and as evergreen, year-round-flowering shrubs in mixed beds and borders,” says Hancock.

“In colder zones, they stay much smaller since they have just the one growing season, and can be effectively used as annuals in beds and borders, or as container plants to beautify balconies, decks, patios and porches.”

Selections in the series include:

• Adonicus Pink, with five-inch-wide rich-pink flowers;
• Apollo Garden, a stunner with five- to six-inch-wide orange flowers edged in golden yellow;
• Constellation Ursa, producing a bounty of five-inch-wide flowers, up to twice as many as older varieties;
• Grace, which shows off six-inch-wide pink flowers edged in white and bearing rich, reddish-pink centers.

HibisQs Tropical Hibiscus (H. rosa-sinensis) is from the Malvaceae family and grows two to four feet tall and wide, depending on variety. It likes full sun and moist, well-drained soil with slightly acid pH. Plants, which flower all summer if given enough light, come in a range of colors (see above). Hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10 and 11, they can be grown as an annual or overwintered indoors in cold climates.

“Their tropical nature even makes them suitable as houseplants if you have a high-light spot for them inside,” Hancock says. “High light levels will ensure the plants stay healthy, don’t get too stretched over winter and produce occasional blooms.”

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