Hibiscus x 'FANTASIA'

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. Fantasia is another variety bred by the Fleming brothers and Gretchen Zwetzig from Nebraska, USA, which resulted from a 40-year controlled breeding. Other successful varieties from the same breeding programme include Kopper King, Fireball, Plum Crazy, Robert Fleming, and Royal Gems. They are all crosses of hibiscus moscheutos and hibiscus coccineus, and boast with incredible flower size and colours, as well as excellent hardiness.

Fantasia swamp mallow produces almost 20 cm large flowers of unique colour - it is somewhat old pastel pink with a tint of pale violet and lilac. Flowering begins in early August and lasts until early October. Deciduous leaves are maple-shaped with three wide lobes and conspicuous narrow tips. In autumn they turn yellow and amber orange. Stems are strong and the taller the plan gets the more they will benefit from a support because an eight-year-old plant made a stem 1.8m tall. Patent No. PP11853 was issued in 2001.

The plant is dependent on regular water 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.

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 both in summer and during dry winters. Hardy to min. -34°C (USDA zone 4). Cut back the plant only a few centimetres above ground level in spring.

Last update 13-08-2018