Hibiscus x 'French Vanilla' - Summerific® French Vanilla Rose Mallow

This bold garden perennial features very showy, ruffled, custard yellow flowers with crimson red eyes, over attractive, dark green leaves; a sturdy and vigorous grower with a compact habit; do not allow to dry to wilting point

Height: 4 feet. Sun: full sun to partial shade. Hardiness zone: 4a.

Ornamental features

Summerific® French Vanilla Hibiscus features bold buttery yellow round flowers with white overtones and crimson eyes at the ends of the stems from mid summer to early fall. Its large pointy leaves remain dark green in color throughout the season.

Landscape

Summerific® French Vanilla Hibiscus is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

Recommended for: Accent, Mass Planting, General Garden Use, Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens, Container Planting.

Planting and growing

Summerific® French Vanilla Hibiscus will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 3 feet apart. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder.