Saturday, May 22, 2010

Hibiscus in Kentucky...safe to leave outside in the winter ?

Someone gave me a potted Hibiscus this past summer. With winter approaching, I'm wondering if I should bring it in or plant it in the ground ? Location: Kentucky. Thanks.

Hibiscus in Kentucky...safe to leave outside in the winter ?
They freeze and they die...they are tropicals; therefore IF it goes below 35 and yes I do know freezing is 32 but this tropical will croak never to be seen again...
Reply:I live in Wisconsin and have worked at a nursery for 4 years. If it is planted in the ground it would be an annual here b/c it would die even if the temperature got close to freezing. I have never been to kentucky so i dont know what the weather is like there. If it gets below about 55 or 60 degrees (to be safe) I would bring it in. Hibiscus do well in places like Hawaii and Brazil, these places are always hottt. So they are picky when it comes to weather. They dont like it if it gets too cool.





A "Rose of Sharon" is TECHNICALLY an Azalea which is hardy in zones 4 and up, but the flowers look incredibly similar to a hibiscus. I actually like it MORE than a hibiscus. We sell tons of them here, they are very popular, and do well. There are also hardy hibiscus, which are still technically hibiscus, but the foliage and flowers are a little different (i personally dont like it)
Reply:annual or perennial? Since it is in a pot and kind of late in the season to plunk it in the ground, bring it in this year. Plant it in the yard next year. Use root stimulator when planting. Take cuttings too!! They'll root in water or by using root hormone. You should see mine!
Reply:Depends on the type of hybiscus. A tropical hybiscus (the ones with large red or orange flowers) will die if subjected to freezing temperatures. There are cold-climate varieties, one known as "Rose of Sharon" which can survive in that climate zone. You need to know what specific species it is. If you got this at a grocery store or something? Dollars-to-donuts it will die if frozen.

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