Hibiscus is a gorgeous tropical plant with massive blooms—sometimes as big as dinner plates! You might assume they’d need a sunny, exotic location to thrive as a perennial, but believe it or not, you can grow hibiscus in Ontario. While not all varieties can withstand an Ontario winter, the hardy hibiscus is a tough, cold-tolerant variety of this sought-after plant that can be easily grown throughout Canada. With those signature flowers that we love and shrubby, herbaceous foliage adding colour and texture to the landscape, there are so many reasons to love the hardy hibiscus.
Here’s How You Can Grow Hardy Hibiscus in Ontario
Hardy hibiscus can be grown in large pots or the garden bed. While they certainly aren’t difficult to care for, they do have a few unique preferences and growth habits. Stick to this guide, and you shouldn’t have any trouble growing this vibrant tropical beauty in your garden at home.
Planting Hardy Hibiscus
An important thing to know about hardy hibiscus is that it thrives in moist environments. You’ll want to water generously and consistently to prevent the soil from drying out, but you also don’t want to overdo it. Stagnant water will get funky in the soil, leading to root rot and other problems. To ensure good drainage and optimal moisture retention, add lots of fresh compost into the soil before planting. Spreading a thick layer of mulch all around the base of your plant will prevent the sun from evaporating moisture too quickly.
Pick a location in the garden that gets full sun, and your plant will produce the biggest, brightest flowers. They’ll survive in partial shade, but the display won’t be quite as magnificent. They often do well on the borders of ponds since they love getting lots of water.
You won’t have to worry about deadheading the spent flowers—it isn’t necessary for hardy hibiscus. It will continue flowering if you leave the old flowers on the plant. Cut off old, dead material in early spring before new growth has begun. Leave a few inches of foliage above the soil, so you won’t forget that you planted something there and accidentally dig it up.
Hardy Hibiscus Can Be Late Bloomers
We’ve seen a lot of gardeners panic in spring when they see no signs of new growth where their hardy hibiscus has been planted, but don’t stress! These plants are notoriously slow to the punch. Be patient, keep the soil moist, and your hibiscus will likely emerge in the early summer.
Our Favourite Hardy Hibiscus Varieties for Ontario
There are so many colourful cultivars of this fabulous plant! Here are some of the most spectacular hardy hibiscus varieties you can grow in USDA Zones 4–5.
*Photo credit: Proven Winners
Summerific French Vanilla: Buttercream petals with a silky, ruffled texture, and juicy red centres that look like a dollop of strawberry jam.
Summerific Berry Awesome: An ultra-vibrant variety of hibiscus with rich, rosy pink flowers, deep red centres and yellow stamens.
*Photo credit: Proven Winners
Summerific Cranberry Crush: Bring red carpet glamour to the landscape with ultra-vivid cranberry blooms that hummingbirds adore.
Luna Pink Swirl: Creamy white pinwheel petals flaunt a pink airbrushed effect and contrasting cherry red centres.
Luna Rose: Electric fuchsia blooms that look like they belong in the garden at Barbie’s Dream House.
Luna Red: Rich, dark crimson flowers bring drama and intensity to your garden scenery.
Discover even more varieties of hardy hibiscus in Ontario plus many more gorgeous perennials for Zones 4 and 5 by visiting the Bala & Port Carling Garden Centres! You’ll love the colour and exotic flair they bring to your landscape year after year!
