"FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote:
"Kentucky Cardinal" Kentucky wrote in message
...
I plan on planting several large Hibiscus plants this fall.
My friend tells me I cannot use regular soil for growing them because they
need a special soil mixture.
I've never heard of such a thing.
Does anyone on this newsgroup grow Hibiscus, and if so, do you use regular
garden soil or a special mixture?
Cold climate, deciduous hibiscus or the one that likes warm climates? I
cant' tell you anything aobut warm climate ones, but the cold climate
deciduous ones grow quite happily in unamended, normal garden soil.
I have two "Hardy Hibiscus" that grows very well in Michigan. They produce
large white plate size flowers in the late summer. In November I cut them
down to the ground. Early spring I see them starting to come out of the
ground. They grow about four feet high shrub like plants with cool looking
flowers.
Hardy Hibiscus is a little different from other forms of Hibiscus plants.
If it does not have the word Hardy it will probably not survive a cold
snowy winter.The non hardy hibiscus in warm climates may not need cutting
down.
What also grows well in Michigan is a plant called "Rose of Sharon" these
are large shrubs, about six to eight feet in height. Many will call the
"Rose of Sharon" a Hibiscus plant also. These plants need little care and
does NOT get cut down to the ground. "Rose of Sharon" just needs trimming
once in a while.
Best to use your own soil. If the plant does not survive, find another
plant. Reason is how large of an area do want to dig out. If the roots
eventually hit your natural soil the plant may not perform well. That's the
risk of planting many plants that will look great for few years then they
shrivel up and die.
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Enjoy Life... Nad R (Garden in zone 5a Michigan)