We all want our garden to flower all spring and summer, but keeping plants flowering during the dog days takes some planning. Erik Helland of Landscape Garden Centers, Sioux Falls, has some tips about late summer perennials. Hibiscus is one of his favorites.
"Hibiscus typically are a tropical plant and we bring those in from Florida and other Southern climates,” Helland said. “They will have a much smaller flower but, in some cases, the hardy hibiscus will have flowers the size of a dinner plate. So they're really, really unique. They have awesome blooms but they're just starting to get going right now. And most of these are going to come back from the base every year. So, where do you plant a hardy hibiscus? The best place to be planting a hardy hibiscus would maybe be on the East side of a house or something that gets a little bit of shade in the afternoon. Afternoon shade would be good just to kind of keep it a little bit cooler. But once again, anything that flowers needs to have full sun. It's just the amount of sun. Make sure that the base of the plant or the root system is mulched. Mulching any perennials, any plant, helps keep the roots cooler and allows for the plant to succeed much better.
Helland says when planting perennials, full sun is best. And pay attention to soil drainage.
“Just make sure that they're in very well-drained soil. So, when you're digging your hole, make sure that it's not going to be holding water at all. Just make sure that when you water any of these plants they allow the water to drain away from them. You do not want them to be sitting in water because then they will rot away and you will not have a successful plant. Flowering perennials, late flowering perennials, that's what you're going to be seeing right now. Those are going to be the most interesting ones. Think about the perennial hibiscus, think about mums, think about asters because now's the time to get those and get those planted and find that special place for them.”
If you have questions for Erik Helland, send them to: [email protected]. He may answer your question on-the-air during the South Dakota Home Garden segment, Wednesdays on SDPB Radio's "In the Moment."