Althea shrub Hibiscus 'Tricolor' red-white-blue

Make sure that the root ball of the Hibiscus syriacus is well soaked in a bucket of lukewarm water prior to planting. Prepare a large planting hole and loosen the soil with a fork. Place the hibiscus at the right depth in the planting hole - the top of the roots should be just below ground level. Refill the hole and press firmly down. Water immediately after planting. Hibiscus syriacus thrives in nutritious soil, improve garden soil with some compost and granulated cow manure. Give these shrubs a spot in full sun. You can also plant the hibiscus in a large pot. Combining hibiscus with other plants Hibiscus syriacus flowers a little later in the summer, bringing some fantastic colour to the garden at that time. The large flowers look so amazing when combined with the Bluebeard (Caryopteris clandonensis) and plumed hydrangea ‘Vanille Fraise'

Hibiscus syriacus requires very little maintenance. The shrub likes a reasonably moist, rich soil. Water more often during warm periods, especially if the hibiscus is growing in a pot. Cutting away the faded flowers will encourage even more flowers on your hibiscus. We recommend regularly adding plant food to the irrigation water in the summer. Pruning hibiscus Heavy pruning is not required for this deciduous bush. For a compact crown you can prune the garden hibiscus in October. Cut all branches of the faded flowers back about 30 cm to keep in form.

Hibiscus syriacus is the only hardy variety of the Althea shrub - often called Rose of Sharon.