Alyogyne
Lilac hibiscus, Blue hibiscus
Also known as Hibiscus, Hibiscus 'Rose Of China'
- Height × spread
- 1.2m – 2m × 1.2m – 2m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available in late Spring & Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These are tender shrubs in the hibiscus family that come from Australia. They are usually grown in containers in colder countries and are brought under cover for the winter. Their flowers are beautiful, shaped like hibiscus blooms and with very soft, almost floppy petals. They are exotic and elegant and in shades of lilac, red purple or blue. They are capable of reaching two or three metres high. Coming into their own in late summer and autumn these upright, quiet but distinguished plants with their columnar stems holding hooded flowers can be a significant presence in the garden. There are light-flowered forms that include steel tones that illuminate shady areas. The deep blues add depth to any planting.
- Flower colour
- Mauve, Pink, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Round
- Height
- 1.2m – 2m
- Spread
- 1.2m – 2m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Mediterranean garden, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 16C minimum temperature
- Use for
- Structural
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food
Using a balanced houseplant fertiliser, feed at alternate waterings.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - mid-late · Planting
Trim the plant
Trim the plant to give it a general tidy. This includes removing any lengthy or awkward shoots that make the plant look visually less attractive. Remove any spent flower heads at the same time.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Indoors
Water lightly in winter
The soil should remain just moist during the cold months when the plant is not in growth. Trickle a little water onto the soil surface every couple of weeks if the soil is dry. Do nothing if it is moist.
The roots remain active in winter and benefit from small amounts of moisture so they don't become completely desiccated.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
16C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 16 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, close to window
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible, within 2-3 metres of a sunny or bright window (one that is south, east, or west facing).