Product Review
Margurite is an old hybrid hibiscus cultivar. It is seldom found in the commercial nursery trade or chain stores because it grows slowly and tends to bloom in cycles.
Flowers are dense and fully doubled and are a unique and unusual shade of purple to pink mauve.
Winter hardy in zones 10 & south, elsewhere these can be grown as annuals or wintered over in pots.
- Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, or Tropical Hibiscus, is a large species of flowering, tropical shrubs native to Asia and the Pacific Rim. The exceptional variety of flower forms and colors available today is the result of global hybridization efforts. These unique varieties are commonly known as Fancy, Exotic, or Hybrid Tropical Hibiscus and are prized for their complex colors and structures. While they require careful and attentive cultivation, they are a rewarding choice.
- Marguerite is an old heirloom Tropical Hibiscus Hybrid introduced in the mid to late 20th Century. It is noted for its smaller, slower growth habit, and its unusual lavender mauve-colored, well-formed, loose double flowers. It grows successfully on its own roots and does not require grafting. While it matures slowly and requires careful attention to nutrition and prompt treatment of common hibiscus issues, it is a great acquisition for any collector and well-suited for outdoor potted culture.
- Care: When plants are mature and ready to be set out, plant in fertile, well-draining, acidic soil; water as needed to maintain consistent soil moisture, feed a good-quality, bloom-boosting fertilizer with the initial planting and annually in the Spring. Prune lightly and often after flowering. Protect from frost and freezing.
- Indoor Growing: Tropical Hibiscus do not adapt easily to indoor growing environments due to their specific needs for light, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. Successful indoor cultivation will require significant modifications to an average growing space.
- Climate: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis are tropical plants recommended for outdoor growing within USDA Growing Zones 9, 10, 11. Cold protection is recommended in all Zones for optimum appearance, earliest flowering, and overall plant health.
