Hibiscus x Summerific^® 'PERFECT STORM'

Swamp mallow (rose mallow) and its hybrids have been sought after plants for the past few years now. They are perennials with sturdy stems that bear large, tropically looking flowers. American company Proven Winner^® are renowned for selecting plants of reliable garden performance, and in 2017 introduced their new series of these hardy hibiscus composed of several different varieties bred by various breeders. It is called Summerific^® and so far (by 2019) it includes these varieties: Cherry Cheesecake, Berry Awesome, Cranberry Crush, My Valentine, Ballet Slippers, Evening Rose, Holy Grail, Cherry Choco Latte. Perfect Storm was bred by Hans A.Hansen in 2011, an American breeder of hardy hibiscus and other perennials, and the director of new plant development at Walters Gardens nursery in Zeeland, Michigan. Patent No. PP27880 was issued in 2017.

Perfect Storm is a bi-coloured swamp mallow with 18-22 cm wide flowers with white base and dark purple pink hues, and a deep burgundy red eye dominated by a long pistil with numerous light beige anthers. It is surprising that being very similar to an older variety Summer Strom it has entirely different parentage - it is a cross between Crown Jewels and Midnight Marvel. Flowering begins in August and depending on plant's age and fertilizing new flower buds can be formed till September or October. Compared to Summer Storm, Perfect storm is shorter and more compact.

Deciduous leaves are 3-lobed with longs tips, deep green, dark burgundy red to almost black flushed on insolated parts, and in autumn turn amber orange and yellow. Stalks and stems are red, too. The plant grows fast, about 1m tall and a little more wide in maturity (10 years), the number of flowering stems multiplies each year, and overall it looks like a shrub though it is a herbaceous perennial.

Swamp mallow and its hybrids are commonly suited for regular garden soil of any pH, just make sure it does not dry out. In hot and dry summers it 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 plant 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 can be clay and boggy, never let it dry out either in summer or during dry winters - its fleshy roots need some moisture also in winter. Hardy to about -34°C (USDA zone 4). Protect the bottom of the stems from direct sunlight with plenty of mulch during winter. Cut back the plant some 7 cm above ground level in spring after all frosts.

Last update 17-09-2019