- The Hibiscus Hedge: An Overview
- Hibiscus hedge: suitable varieties
- Plant hibiscus hedge
- Care for hibiscus hedge
- Pruning hibiscus hedge
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Hibiscus is an easy way to create great privacy protection. We provide tips on suitable varieties and the correct cut of a hibiscus hedge.
Hibiscus (Hibiscus) blooms in the most beautiful colors from June. Whether blue, white or pink - the variety of hibiscus varieties is large and some varieties are even suitable for creating a hedge. Hibiscus hedges not only bring a bright variety of colors to your garden, but also provide good privacy protection. So that a hibiscus hedge will soon decorate your garden, you only have to pay attention to a few tricks. In this article you can find out which varieties are suitable for a hedge, how to create and care for a hibiscus hedge.
The Hibiscus Hedge: An Overview
Hedges in the garden don't always have to be green. The hibiscus provides the best evidence to the contrary: With its colorful blossoms, it brings color to our gardens and, as a hedge, also offers a habitat for many insects and birds. The hibiscus, originally from Asia, belongs to the mallow family (Malvaceae). Hibiscus plants are fast-growing and with their dense foliage they protect you from prying eyes. In addition, the low demands of the hibiscus and its high tolerance to cutting make it the ideal hedge plant.
Hibiscus hedge: suitable varieties
The variety of hibiscus is great. But not all hibiscus species are well suited for a hedge. Since the hibiscus hedge lasts all year round outdoors, the hibiscus variety for a hedge must be frost-resistant in any case. The garden marshmallow (Hibiscus syriacus), for example, is particularly suitable for a hibiscus hedge. But varieties of the almond marshmallow (Hibiscus mutabilis) can also be used for a hedge. Both species can grow up to two meters high and are very tolerant of pruning. Below we have compiled some hardy varieties that are particularly suitable for a hibiscus hedge.
Types of garden hibiscus for a hedge:
- 'Blue Bird':This variety produces large blue flowers early in the year. It is vigorous and particularly hardy.
- 'Duc de Brabant': This hibiscus variety grows tall, bushy and can reach up to three meters in height. The funnel-shaped flowers range in shade from deep red to purplish red and bloom from July to October.
- 'Russian Violet': The 'Russian Violet' variety is also very vigorous. The flowers are pink to red-violet. Flowering time is from July to early October.
Almond hibiscus varieties for a hedge:
- 'Shanghai Pink': This is a hardy variety with a profusion of pink to dark pink flowers. The hibiscus is hardy down to -15 °C.
- 'Double': This variety is vigorous and bushy. The flower color changes from white to pink to red.
You can find a comprehensive overview of the rich variety of hibiscus here.
Plant hibiscus hedge
Hibiscus hedges, like solitary hibiscus plants, prefer a sunny to partially shaded and sheltered location. Hibiscus hedges prefer to grow in permeable and nutrient-rich soil. A nutrient-poor soil can be enriched with humus-rich potting soil or compost. The best time to plant is in spring, as soon as there is no longer any frost to be expected (a good guideline is the ice saints in mid-May).
It is best to mark the course of the planned hedge with a string before planting. The planting distance should be 60 centimeters between the plants so that your hedge is nice and dense. You can either dig a separate planting hole for each plant or dig a ditch about 50 centimeters deep along the entire length of the hedge. Then the plants are planted and watered well.
Summary of planting hibiscus hedges:
- Location: Sunny and sheltered from the wind
- Substrate: permeable and rich in nutrients
- Planting distance: 60 cm
- Planting depth: 50 cm
Tip: Don't just use one type or color for your hedge. Planting different types of hibiscus can create a colorful play of colors in your garden that is guaranteed to draw everyone's attention.
You can find detailed instructions on planting and propagating hibiscus here.
Care for hibiscus hedge
Even though hibiscus hedges are considered easy to maintain, you should not neglect yours and maintain them regularly. To theCaring for hibiscus includes, above all, watering. It is best to keep freshly planted hibiscus hedges constantly moist for two weeks. If the hibiscus is too dry, it quickly reacts by shedding its leaves. At the latest, you should take hanging leaves as a sign to water quickly and thus protect your hibiscus hedge from drying out.
In the spring you can regularly strengthen your hedge with fertilizer. An organic fertilizer slowly releases the nutrients to the plants and supports he althy soil life. For hibiscus hedges, for example, our Plantura organic flower fertilizer with organic long-term effect, which consists mainly of plant-based raw materials, is suitable. If you discover signs of disease or pests, it is better to remove the affected parts of the plant immediately. In this way, diseases or pests cannot spread to the entire hedge.
Summary of caring for hibiscus hedges:
- Keep consistently moist after planting
- Water regularly afterwards
- Fertilize in spring
- Remove diseased/infested plant parts immediately
You can find out what else to look out for when caring for hibiscus in our special article.
Pruning hibiscus hedge
The vigorous growth of your hibiscus hedge means it will need to be trimmed annually. This topiary causes a compact growth and promotes flowering. The ideal time to cut your hibiscus hedge is spring, before the leaves sprout. Cut back your hedge by a good third. Frozen and damaged branches can also be cut off. Branches that are diseased or infested by pests and dead shoots should be removed throughout the year.
Summary of trimming hibiscus hedges:
- Shorten by a third in spring
- The flowers develop on annual shoots
- Remove diseased and dead shoots all year round
You can find detailed instructions on how to cut your hibiscus here.
You can find more exciting plants that are also very suitable for a flowering hedge here in our article on plants as privacy screens.