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Halberdleaf Hibiscus

Hibiscus laevis

$11.32
$11.32 $13.32
per Plant - 3" Pot
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ZONES  4-9 | Good to grow! Zone
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• Halberdleaf Hibiscus is a tall, stunning native shrub with large, tropical looking blooms
• Pollinators love the flowers, including hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies
• Tolerant of heat and high humidity, this Hibiscus is perfect for pond margins or rain gardens
• Deer resistant and flood tolerant

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Description

A member of the Mallow family, and related to okra, Hibiscus laevis is easy to distinguish by its interesting, sword-shaped leaves.

Native to North American marshes from Florida to Texas and North through Ontario, Halberdleaf Hibiscus thrives in full sun with rich medium to wet soils. It can tolerate light shade, but there may be reduced flowering. It is well adapted to heat and high humidity as long as there is consistent moisture. Thanks to these features, Halbderdleaf Hibiscus is a great plant for rain gardens. Pair it with Boneset, Joe Pye Weed, and Sedges, which thrive in similar conditions.

Pollinators love this plant, including bumblebees and moths, and many butterfly species use this hibiscus as a host plant, including the Grey Hairstreak.

Planting & Care

When you receive your Hardy Hibiscus plant from American Meadows, it could look like a pot of soil with sticks. Seems disappointing, but looks are deceiving because actually there is a thriving strong root system below the soil. The hibiscus is dormant and hasn’t emerged yet. We want you to successfully grow and care for your Hardy Hibiscus. To start planting, there are a few growing conditions to consider before planting.

Planting Needs

Hardy Hibiscus thrives best in well drained soil, amended with organic matter. Hibiscus prefers acidic soil. To add acidity to your soil, add Peat moss or potting soil to your garden. If your soil is mostly clay, consider planting Hibiscus in a raised bed, this helps to eliminate water buildup.

To plant, dig a hole double the size of the pot and set the plant in, the crown of the plant should rest just at or above the soil surface. Press the new loose dirt around the plant and water. If you water and the base of the plant shows, add more soil. If you are planting multiple="multiple" Hibiscus, space plants 2 to 3 ft apart in the garden. Although the plant maybe small, these beauties reach 48” – 72” Tall.

Location and Light

Hardy Hibiscus is slow to emerge in cold springs or early summers, so be patient. Hardy Hibiscus does best in full sun. They will grow in partial shade, but growth and flowering will suffer. If you live in areas with very hot summers, during the hottest part of the day, Hibiscus may need shade. Hibiscus should be planted along, or in the back of perennial flower beds.

After Planting Care for Years of Growth

Fertilizer

Hibiscus needs lots of nutrients. There are a few ways to fertilize Hibiscus. One option is in the spring; apply a layer of compost around the base of the plant. Or apply fertilizer with 10-4-12, 9-3-13 or 10-10-10 around the base of the hibiscus. Be careful not to add too much fertilizer, too much phosphorous will kill hibiscus.

Temperature

Hibiscus is hardy to zone 5. Hardy hibiscus benefits from warm temperatures for bud growth, so if it’s a cold spring or summer, growth will be slower. To keep Hibiscus warm apply a layer of mulch to protect Hibiscus in the winter and early spring.

Watering

Hibiscus needs both moist and well drained soil. If Hibiscus dries out to much it will drop all its foliage and will look like a bunch of dead sticks. When this happens don’t stress, it will re-bud, it’s the Hibiscus protecting its roots system. It’s important to not over water or underwater. If you are growing hibiscus in a container, plant your hibiscus in a pot with adequate drainage holes. Otherwise if Hibiscus is in water to long, its root will begin to rot.

Pruning

Hibiscus don’t need to be pruned. But if you choose to shape Hibiscus the best time to do so, is in late fall or winter depending on your location. Otherwise Hibiscus produces new growth every year from the ground up. To encourage branching and more flowers stalk, prune is in early summer when Hibiscus has starts to grow.

Further Reading:

Shipping

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As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and fall-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and fall-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your Growing Zone. Perennial and fall-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service at (802) 227-7200 or contact us by email or chat.

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Key Features

Light Requirements

  • Full Sun
  • Half Sun / Half Shade

Bloom Time

Late spring to fall

Advantages

  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Attracts Hummingbirds
  • Attracts Beneficial Insects
  • Native
  • Rain Gardens
  • Deer Resistant

Additional information

Mature Height

3-6 ft tall

Mature Spread

24" wide

Soil Type

  • Average Soil
  • Loamy Soil
  • Sandy Soil
  • Clay Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Moist / Wet

Planting Depth

The base of the stem(s) should be just at the soil surface after watering in

Planting Time

  • Spring / Summer

Flower Size

3" long, up to 6" wide

Plant Classification

Native Species

Native To

North America

Growing Zones

  • Zone 4
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9
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