Hibiscus ‘Simply Love’ is one of the stand-out stars of the garden. The bushy plants bear lovely silvery-yellow flowers, each with a chocolate-purple centre. The flowers grow 7 to 9cm wide (3 to 4in) and carried in huge numbers over the entire plant for all of the summer and well into autumn.
In full sun and well composted soil it puts on a spectacular summer display. The individual flowers are short lived, with numerous new flowers coming into bloom each day. As an added bonus, as the fruiting pods mature, the calyces swell and form attractive translucent seed pods.
Hibiscus trionum is an easy to grow, very ornamental bedding or border plant, with a compact and good-branching growth habit. It is drought tolerant and performs well when grown as a container plant. Usually grown as an annual, it will over winter in frost free areas.
Sowing: Sow in early spring for use as an annual
Hibiscus trionum is generally grown as an annual in the UK, flowering and setting seed within one season. In frost free areas they can be grown as perennials. Plant in spring or autumn and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year to plant them out in early summer of the following year.
For best germination soak seed in hot water for 48 hours before sowing. Change the water ever 12 hours with fresh hot water.
Sow in trays or pots of peaty compost, cover seeds with a sprinkling of sieved compost. Darkness will help germination. Place in a propagator or warm place, maintaining an optimum temperature of 24 to 27°C (75 to 80°F) Germination usually takes 15 to 30 days. Plants will flower in 12 weeks from sowing.
Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. When growing as an annual, plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and protect them with a frame or cloche until they are growing away well.
Plant out into a well-drained humus rich fertile soil in a sheltered position in full sun
In Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Overwinter them in a warm greenhouse and plant out after the last expected frosts.
The common name Flower-of-an-Hour (or Flower-of-the-Hour) refer to the flowers brief appearance
Bladder hibiscus refers to the translucent seed pods
A gift of hibiscus is believed to mean “seize the opportunity”. It also stands for delicate beauty as the bloom of the hibiscus is just open for short period everyday.
Hibiscus trionum is native to Asia, Africa and all Australian mainland states.
The flowers are considered exotic and are popular in tattoo art, often seen combined with other Hawaiian symbols such as tiki, surfboard or sea turtles. Some tattoo enthusiasts who go for this Hawaiian flower are either natives of the island or who have spent unforgettable moments there or just simply love the beauty of the flower.
- Additional Information
Packet Size 225mg Average Seed Count 50 Seeds Family Malvaceae Genus Hibiscus Species trionum Cultivar Simply Love Common Name Flower-of-an-Hour, Venice mallow, Other Common Names Bladder Katmia, Bladder Hibiscus Fleur Dune Heure, Ketmie d' Afrique Hardiness Half Hardy Annual Flowers Throughout Summer till frosts Height 45-60cm (18-24in) Spacing 30cm (12in) Position Full sun preferred