Growing Hibiscus in the D.C. area

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rose of Sharon is hibiscus syriacus and is a weed and is invasive.

There is a native hardy hibiscus to the states, also known as swamp mallow. I have three in my garden that I grew from seed, white, pink and magenta. The blooms are huge and last for one day. They get quite tall and are perennial, take full sun, although they will tolerate shade, and like moist conditions. Other than that they are very easy going plants. I cut them down each Nov. and they grow five feet tall the next summer. They are pretty late to leaf out.

They are not a thug in the garden like R.O.S.

Tropical hibiscus have beautiful dark green foliage and more blooms, but are not hardy to the area and will need to go into a garage or sunroom for the winter.

This 100%.

Rose of Sharon is invasive and should be pulled.

Native hibiscus are lovely and will thrive. Mine are in bloom now - dozens of blooms on each plant.

Tropical hibiscus will die over winter.

[Anonymous]

Do none of you have problems with deer eating your hibiscus? I gave up on mine a couple years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a hardy hibiscus planted outside that comes up every year (then it dies off/gets cut back in the fall).

This. And they propagate so I used to dig them up in the fall, split them, and replant them around the yard. What I didn't take into account is how high they get, then eventually fall over. They have very thick stalks, and giant red flowers. Not sure the variety. But after a few years I got sick of them all together and pulled them all out. I am partial to low plantings anyway.

There are dwarf hibiscus. See the Luna series.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Huh, we have Rose of Sharon in our yard and it's never been a problem. Looks lovely once it blooms, and it handles the weather well (it was planted by previous owners and has survived our really cold as well as mild winters). Every so often extra shoots appear, but they're easy to prune back.

This has been my experience, too. We have three Rose of Sharon bushes (they were here when we moved in) and they are thriving. We cut them back in the fall because they grow a lot each year. In five years, we’ve had no issues with them taking over the garden. The bumblebees and butterflies love them.

I have two Rose of Sharon bushes and agree they haven't been a problem. My ex planted them 18 years ago (I guess he didn't know any better, I certainly didn't). We just trim them back every couple of years when they get really bushey.

[Anonymous]

If you have a rain garden, a swamp mallow will do just fine!

[Anonymous]

1. Rose of Sharon are not hibiscus

2. Hardy Hibiscus are native to the area, are perennials (don't need to be brought indoors) and are pollinator magnets.

I grow several Hibiscus on my property in Bethesda -- from the less showy swamp mallow to the Luna in red and white, which I grew from seed.

Hibiscus are very easy to propagate when you have one healthy plant. The teensiest amount of root will start a new plant. My now hibiscus is now three large plants on my property.


They are extremely low maintenance and real show stoppers, but they do take up space.