Hibiscus x 'ROBERT FLEMING' swamp mallow, hardy hibiscus
Hibiscus
Swamp mallow and its hybrids have been sought after plants for the past few years now. They are perennials with sturdy stems that have large, tropically looking flowers. Robert Fleming variety is a result of a 40 year breeding programme led by David W.Flemming crossbreeding h.moscheutos and h.coccineus, and the consequential hybrids. It was patented under PP14,776 in 2004.Robert Fleming is a rich red flowering hardy hibiscus with large, 22-24 cm across flowers from early August until early October. Leaves are green, deciduous, hydrangea-like broadly heart-shaped at the bottom of the plant, and as the plant begins to flower they change to 3-lobed with purple-red stalks. In early autumn they, rather quickly, turn orange and yellow. Stems are strong and sturdy, and grow some 70-80 cm tall.
The plant is dependent on regular watering and feed supply. Use fertilizers with enough phosphorus for abundant flowering, or any other quick-release fertilizers where nitrogen is not predominant. Any fertilizing has to stop by end September. Still, nitrogen-based fertilizer is useful when the plants wakes up from dormancy in mid spring, but should not be used longer than 8 weeks. Hardy hibiscus emerges very late, sometimes as late as in late May.
For healthy growth and profuse flowering it needs a sunny location with a lot of moisture which can be achieved by good mulching. The soil has to be fertile and permeable, never let it dry out in summer. Hardy to about -34°C (USDA zone 4). Cut back the plant only a few centimetres above ground level in spring.
Last update 04-08-2014
