Have you ever wondered about the bundles of bamboo stems you see for sale just about everywhere, from novelty stores to warehouse clubs?They’re called “lucky bamboo,” and despite their ubiquitous presen
06.06.2023 - 19:16 / gardenerspath.com / Kelly Spicer
How to Grow and Care for Tropical Hibiscus Hibiscus spp.You might think tropical hibiscus can only be grown in places like Hawaii, Florida, southern Texas, and California, where the sun shines and the snow steers clear pretty much year-round.
These symbols of the tropics are native to regions that retain warmth and humidity through most or all of the year, so if you live in a warm climate such as USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11, you can plant them right in the ground. Lucky you!
We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
However, these beauties, sometimes known as “fancy” types, can be grown in containers in areas where you spend part of the year walking in a winter wonderland.
They’ll need protection from chilly temperatures, freezes, and snow, of course, but it can be done.
Either way, they have their finicky points as most plants do, so it’s important to learn how to keep them healthy, thriving, and producing lots of stunning blossoms.
Want to get to know those fancy hibiscuses? Read on – here’s what we’re going to cover up ahead:
What Is a Tropical Hibiscus?I bet at least one key question came to mind when you read that title – aren’t all hibiscus varieties tropical?
And the answer is no. Some are, and some aren’t.
The mallow family, Malvaceae, is comprised of thousands of species of plants that are known to inhabit temperate and tropical zones throughout the world.
Along with hibiscuses, okra, marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis), and hollyhocks are all members of this family as well as many others, including some large trees like the baobab.
Some are native to swamps and bogs, such as H. moscheutos, or the swamp or eastern mallow. Others grow where it’s not
Have you ever wondered about the bundles of bamboo stems you see for sale just about everywhere, from novelty stores to warehouse clubs?They’re called “lucky bamboo,” and despite their ubiquitous presen
For a funky-looking annual that’s just unusual enough to be totally awesome, how about giving some bells of Ireland a ring?We link to vendors to help you find relevant products.
Otherwise known as toyon, California holly, or Christmas berry, Heteromeles arbutifoliais an excellent slope-stabilizing and habitat plant, host to myriad insects including pollinating butterflies and moths.An iconic staple of California chaparral and oak woodland
If you love growing common sage in your herb garden and live in a warm area, you’ll want to consider adding Cleveland sage into the mix.Salvia clevelandii, also known as California blue, frag
Hyacinths are a perennial, bulbous spring flower from the genus Hyacinthus in the Asparagaceae or asparagus family.Sweetly fragrant with a delicate, fresh scent, ea
If you’re curious about what kind of effort it takes to grow plumeria, you’ve come to the right place.Who wouldn’t want this gorgeous specimen in their lands
Bright and cheerful with a heavenly fragrance, daffodils are among the most beloved of spring’s harbingers.The flowers are notable for their hues of yellow or
The captivating Yucca brevifolia, commonly known as the Joshua tree, is a member of the agave (Agavaceae) family.With the Mojave, Great Basin, and western Sonoran D
If you’re a “Here We Come A-wassailing,” Yule log, Tiny Tim, and plum pudding-type of holiday reveler, have I got the holly for you to grow at home!English, aka common, holly (Ilex aquifolium) is native to Europe, no
The Forsythia genus is a group of plants in the Oleaceae, or olive family. It includes 11 species of deciduous woody shrubs that bear bold yellow flowers in early spring.Suited to gardeners in USDA Hardiness
These peculiar desert plants bring a sense of wonder to the arid landscapes they thrive in with their distinctive and stunning appearance.They are popular in xeriscape gardens and can be found in many co
The philodendron houseplant is such a reliable old friend, and so commonplace, that you might tend to overlook it in favor of more remarkable species.But then along comes the tree philodendron, sometimes called lacy leaf, split leaf, or horsehead philodendron, a species that’s so large