Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Southern Belle’ (Hardy Hibiscus)

Particularly cold-hardy, Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Southern Belle’ (Hardy Hibiscus) is a compact and well-branched perennial noted for its huge flowers with overlapping petals, 10 in. across (25 cm), in various colors including of pink, rose, red and white. Blooming continuously from mid to late summer, the gigantic flowers display conspicuous, protruding, creamy-white to pale yellow tubes of stamens. Each flower lasts about 1-2 days, but new flowers open each day in rapid succession until late in the season. They contrast nicely against the bold, ovate, toothed leaves.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Typically grows with an upright habit, up to 36 in. tall (90 cm) and 24-36 in. wide (60-90 cm).
• Thrives in full sun in average, medium to wet soils. Tolerates some light shade but best flower production and disease resistance occur in full sun. Tolerant of heat and humidity.
• Prefers consistently moist, organically rich soils. Keeping this hibiscus watered will result in larger flowers and lush foliage. 
• Site in locations protected from wind to minimize the risk of wind burn.
• Plant in perennial borders for dramatic summer blooms. Great along streams or ponds, in bog gardens or in rain gardens.
• Keep an eye out for blight, canker, rust, leaf spots, aphids, scale, whiteflies and Japanese beetle. Deer resistant.
• Deadhead spent flowers to maintain a neat appearance.
• Cut down in spring before new growth appears.
• It is best to plant Hibiscus in the garden before the heat of the summer arrives, and should be heavily mulched the first winter.
• Hibiscus moscheutos is native to marshes, swamps, moist meadows and woods from Ontario and Massachusetts south to Ohio, Indiana, Alabama and Florida.