@clematisdorset I saw this thread only today. Yes, I have hibiscus syriacus growing in my garden. They are in the ground in clayey soil and are fairly trouble free, needing no special watering other than the rain or feeding other than a usual spring feed/mulch. They flower quite late in the summer; they were in full bloom last month and earlier part of this month. Now they have all the seed pods forming. I think you should plant yours in the ground. Mine are more than 6ft tall in 4-5 years. Hope this helps.
Oxford. The City of Dreaming Spires.
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils (roses). Taking a bit of liberty with Wordsworth
Thank you @Eustace, it sounds a trouble-free plant. I planted mine out just after writing my query, but the photo is not that clear. It has developed a bit, but seems very slow-growing and no buds this year again. I hope now it is in the ground, that next year it will flower. 6 foot in 4 to 5 years sounds good: I would be more than happy with that. It sounds like a perfect plant for late summer when things in the garden can start to go over.
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I have two of these growing in a very narrow bed alongside my garage in deprived clay soil. One is dark purple and flowers late July and the other a salmon pink flowering afterwards in August. Both are over 8 foot now and freely seed into my paving nearby. I've removed many seedlings over the years and gifted them - no idea what colour they'll be.
One got a fungal infection a few years back and snapped off at the base but readily grew from suckers/epicormic growth and is now standing tall. Other than that my experience is these are a hardy, un-demanding plant. If they're lucky they get a slosh of Miracle Grow generic feed once or twice a year but thats it.
As others have said these are plants that like to get themselves established in the ground so i'd get it out of the pot and positioned somewhere where you (and the bees) can enjoy it.
My only criticism is they lack architectural interest so make sure they're against a wall or fence. Also, the foliage isn't much to write home about and can be slow to get going and tatty by the seasons end...but they more than make up for it with their flowery display...even if the spent blooms are like slimy slugs that get stuck to your feet and trodden everywhere.
Thank you @McRazz for info on your experiences of growing these plants. You made me laugh about the slimy 'slugs' that are the spent seedpods! I would be more than pleased to have that problem...(ask me again when hopefully mine do produce blooms and seeds...)
Hopefully I can leave it where it is (in the ground since late June when I planted it). It is about knee height at the moment in a raised bed on sandy loamy soil with sun after midday.
(By the way, 8 feet in height sounds good).
Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus
Thank you @McRazz for info on your experiences of growing these plants. You made me laugh about the slimy 'slugs' that are the spent seedpods! I would be more than pleased to have that problem...(ask me again when hopefully mine do produce blooms and seeds...)
Hopefully I can leave it where it is (in the ground since late June when I planted it). It is about knee height at the moment in a raised bed on sandy loamy soil with sun after midday.
(By the way, 8 feet in height sounds good).
They are very slimy and if you're not careful they spread dye from the petals everywhere if a rogue one makes it into your house or on your sock!
Mine too get sun from midday and are going strong so it sounds like you've chosen a good spot. Fingers crossed for blooms next year.
Glad you think so, thankyou and I will surely be doing that @McRazz if my plant develops seeds! 🤣 ...but you got me thinking, maybe I could dye fabrics. I had a quick look and indeed it is possible. Sounds like a fun project!
Thank you @Eustace! Yours are lovely. The colours are delicate, almost like a watercolour paints with ink kind of effect. I don't suppose you grow hollyhocks too do you? I did, for a few years, but my hollyhocks became rust-ridden, and I really missed them, hence the hibiscus... Do you grow your hibiscus near to each other? I think they are pollinated by insects other than bees aren't they? 😊
Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus
@clematisdorset I do not have hollyhocks, though I've tried sprinkling a few seeds around last year. Probably they didn't germinate or I might have weeded them out. I grow the hibiscus next to each other. Though the seeds fall off in winter, I haven't spotted any seedlings around the plants. This year I'll pay more attention.
Oxford. The City of Dreaming Spires.
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils (roses). Taking a bit of liberty with Wordsworth
Posts
I think you should plant yours in the ground. Mine are more than 6ft tall in 4-5 years. Hope this helps.
One got a fungal infection a few years back and snapped off at the base but readily grew from suckers/epicormic growth and is now standing tall. Other than that my experience is these are a hardy, un-demanding plant. If they're lucky they get a slosh of Miracle Grow generic feed once or twice a year but thats it.
As others have said these are plants that like to get themselves established in the ground so i'd get it out of the pot and positioned somewhere where you (and the bees) can enjoy it.
My only criticism is they lack architectural interest so make sure they're against a wall or fence. Also, the foliage isn't much to write home about and can be slow to get going and tatty by the seasons end...but they more than make up for it with their flowery display...even if the spent blooms are like slimy slugs that get stuck to your feet and trodden everywhere.
Hopefully I can leave it where it is (in the ground since late June when I planted it). It is about knee height at the moment in a raised bed on sandy loamy soil with sun after midday.
(By the way, 8 feet in height sounds good).
Mine too get sun from midday and are going strong so it sounds like you've chosen a good spot. Fingers crossed for blooms next year.
https://farmhomestead.com/herbs/hibiscus/
Hope yours blooms next season. 🤞
I grow the hibiscus next to each other. Though the seeds fall off in winter, I haven't spotted any seedlings around the plants. This year I'll pay more attention.