- 1). Plant your hardy hibiscus in the fall, when it has finished flowering and more strength to put down roots. Plant to the depth of the root ball and fill the hole with nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Amend as needed with sand and compost if your soil is clay or your topsoil is thin. Water your hibiscus well until the first major frost is predicted.
- 2). Prune hibiscus heavily for the winter, cutting back stems so tat the plant is 12 to 14 inches high. Mulch around the roots with clean shredded grass or leaves. Do not cover the hibiscus with a tarp or burlap, unless an especially severe cold front with temperatures below zero is predicted. You can cover the plant with a wooden folding cover if you live in an area with heavy snows.
- 3). Prune dead branches from the shrub in spring, once new leaves appear. Fertilize the plant throughout spring using conventional garden fertilizer or a top dressing with rich compost. Gradually reduce the amount of fertilizer as blooms emerge. Stop fertilizing entirely six weeks before the predicted hard frost date for your region. Consult a USDA zone map or a plant label for the specific date of frost for your area.
next post