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Botanical name: Hibiscus ‘Midnight Marvel’
This bold garden perennial features very showy deep red flowers; attractive, glossy, deep violet-purple leaves that mature to green; ideal for the mixed garden border or in mass; do not allow to dry to wilting point.
Other names: Rose Mallow, Hardy Hibiscus
| Hardiness zone | 4b |
|---|---|
| Flower color | red |
| Foliage type | deciduous * |
| Plant form | upright spreading |
| Mature height | 5 feet |
| Spread | 6 feet |
| Light requirements | full sun to partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | moist |
| Plant origin | hybrid |
* deciduous = loses leaves in winter
Midnight Marvel Hibiscus features bold red round flowers at the ends of the stems from mid summer to early fall. Its large glossy lobed leaves emerge light green in spring, turning deep purple in color with distinctive red veins throughout the season. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Midnight Marvel Hibiscus is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other garden plants with finer foliage.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
Insects, Self-Seeding
Midnight Marvel Hibiscus is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Accent, Mass Planting, General Garden Use, Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
Midnight Marvel Hibiscus will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 5 feet apart. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years.
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
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