A color breakthrough for Hibiscus

A color breakthrough for Hardy Hibiscus, French Vanilla Hibiscus brings the best yellow color in all Hardy Hibiscus. Soft yellow flower buds open to 7-8” creamy custard yellow, ruffled flowers with a prominent red eye. Flowers are more yellow in cooler conditions and whiter in hotter conditions. Its beautiful blossoms appear for months from mid-summer into fall. Hummingbirds and butterflies adore it, yet deer won’t come near.

Compared to the older varieties, this Hibiscus retains its yellow color longer, has a more compact habit, has red stems and deeper green, more attractive foliage, and a very prolific floral production. Tropical looking, but extremely cold hardy. French Vanilla is perfect for backdrops, accents or centerpieces. Use Hardy Hibiscus in perennial beds, foundation plantings, or as a showy hedge. It makes an ideal choice for bogs and wet areas, yet it tolerates drought and poor soil. Grows 3-4′ tall and 3.5′ wide.

Plant in full sun, at least 6 hours of sun a day, although with afternoon sun you can get away with a little less. Plant in soil that has been amended with compost or other organic matter. Adding a starter fertilizer or giving a light application of an all purpose liquid fertilizer will help it get off to a fast start. We use Starter Plus Bio Tone Organic. Although drought tolerant they will perform best with consistent moisture and can tolerate boggy areas. Hibiscus die back to the ground every year. Cut back dead wood in early spring. Hibiscus are one of the last perennials to emerge in spring, sometimes not until mid to late spring. They grow quickly though, catching up fast to other perennials.