First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide
Anyone who needs to add a pop of color to a container garden should consider planting a First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus. Known botanically as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘First Lady,' the First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus is a small shrub that holds light pink flowers for a long portion of the growing season. Additionally, this cultivar is not only incredibly beautiful for months on end, but it is also easy to care for, making it an excellent option for beginner gardeners.
- The First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus has large pink flowers with subtle yellow accents.
- This plant is very easy to grow in containers, which allows for overwintering.
- The First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus is generally easy to care for and keep healthy.
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Plant Care
Sunlight
The First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus can grow in areas that receive four hours of light or more per day.
Watering
The First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus should receive water whenever the first two to three inches of soil have dried out.
Fertilizing
You can feed this plant with a balanced fertilizer up to four times per year.
Planting and Care
Planting instructions
Anyone who grows a First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus in a region further north than zone nine will need to grow their plant in a container to allow for overwintering anytime the outdoor temperatures drop to 30 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Those who live in warmer areas can plant their First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus in a hole that is as deep as the root ball is tall and about twice as wide. In either case, the growing location you choose should have well-draining soils and receive at least four hours of daily light.
Watering and nutrients
A newly planted First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus should receive water often enough to keep the soil consistently moist for the first few months of active growth. For the rest of this plant’s life, you can water it whenever you notice that the first two to three inches of soil have become dry. You should feed your First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus with a balanced fertilizer, or one that promotes blooms specifically, at least once per year. In many cases, providing up to three more feedings throughout the growing season can encourage better flowering too.
Pollination
The First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus is a self-fertile cultivar, which means that it is capable of pollinating itself. The First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus also carries a set of large, showy flowers throughout much of the growing season. The nectar in those flowers can attract interesting pollinators, including hummingbirds, when this plant grows outdoors. However, since the fruits of this plant are neither edible nor ornamentally appealing, pollination should be of little concern as you care for your First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus.
Pruning
Pruning for a First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus should take place early in the growing season before the new growth appears. Your primary pruning goal should be to remove any branch from this plant that is dead, broken or has shown signs of disease. After that, you can perform some light shaping if you wish. When pruning, be sure that you use a set of tools that are as sharp and sterile as they can be to limit the spread of disease.
Pests, diseases, and animals
As is true of related hibiscus plants, the First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus often has issues with whiteflies. Along with whiteflies, aphids, thrips and scale insects may also infest this plant. The First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus can also run into some issues regarding diseases. Leaf spot, wilt and dieback can all take place. However, if you are able to find a suitable growing location for this plant and keep up with a regular care routine, your plant has a good chance of remaining healthy.
Achieving maximum results
The large green leaves and showy flower of the First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus make this plant an ideal addition to any garden that has a tropical theme. However, since it is often best to grow this plant in a container, you must be mindful of its growth. While the First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus is not the fastest-growing plant in the world, it does grow at a moderate rate. That means that every few seasons, you may need to consider transplanting this plant to a larger container to accommodate its expanding roots.
FAQs
What is the parent species of the First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus?
The parent species of the First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus is a plant known as the “Chinese Hibiscus” or Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. The Chinese Hibiscus is a small flowering tropical plant that can grow to about 8 to 10 feet tall. The First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus is just one of many cultivated varieties of the Chinese Hibiscus that have become popular in the nursery trade. By comparison to its parent species, the First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus is a bit smaller and often blooms longer.
What spacing should you use for the First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus?
If you live where it is warm enough to grow a First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus in the ground year-round, and you want to grow multiple of these plants, you need to use the correct spacing. Typically, you should give a First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus about three to four feet of space in all directions when planting it. This spacing should give each of your plants plenty of room to expand to their full size.
How long is the bloom time of a First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus?
Perhaps the most impressive feature of the First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus is its incredibly long bloom time. With the correct conditions in place, a First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus will open its blooms in spring and hold them throughout the entire season. Often, fertilizing multiple times throughout the growing season will help this plant maintain its blooms for longer.
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