Hibiscus 'Blackberry Merlot'

Hibiscus 'Blackberry Merlot': Velvet Wine-Red Blooms for Damp Spots

Velvety red flowers the size of dinner plates, poured like a heavy glass of merlot at the end of a long week. 'Blackberry Merlot' doesn't do sips. IT DOES THE WHOLE BOTTLE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Hibiscus hybrid
• Common Name: Rose Mallow, Hardy Hibiscus
• Height: 120–135 cm (4–4.5 ft)
• Spread: 105–120 cm (3.5–4 ft)
• Flowers: Deep, velvety red, about 20 cm (8 in) across
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall (July to September)
• Foliage: Deep green leaves on an upright, tight habit
• Features: Heat tolerant

Where to Plant: Its upright shape fits the back of a border, along a fence, or as a summer focal point. It also handles damp, sunny spots where many perennials sulk, including rain gardens and heavy clay that holds moisture. Give it full sun for the most flowers.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Blackberry Merlot' in a sunny, moist bed where its dark leaves and red blooms sit among late pinks and scarlet. Chelone Tiny Tortuga™ adds dark pink turtleheads at 30 to 40 cm in August and September. Lobelia 'Queen Victoria' brings scarlet spikes over dark leaves at 75 to 90 cm from July to September. Eupatorium 'Chocolate' adds dark leaves and white flowers at 90 to 120 cm from August to October. Carex muskingumensis adds bright green, palm-like whorls at 60 to 90 cm.

Plant Care: Full sun gives the best bloom and the darkest leaves. Part sun is fine but means fewer flowers. Plant in rich, moisture-holding soil and water deeply whenever summer turns dry. Drooping leaves or dropped buds are its way of asking for a drink. Be patient in spring. Hardy hibiscus emerge late, often after everything else is up, then make up for lost time with very fast growth. Mark where it is. Cut the old woody stems down to roughly 15 cm (6 in) in spring before new shoots appear. Add a thick mulch for the first winter. Don't trim it in summer, because that removes flower buds. Division is rarely needed. Japanese beetles like it, so check the leaves in midsummer.

History: 'Blackberry Merlot' was bred by Hans Hansen at Walters Gardens in Zeeland, Michigan, from a 2016 cross. It came from a self-pollinated seedling of an unreleased hybrid of Hibiscus moscheutos and Hibiscus coccineus, the scarlet rose mallow of southeastern U.S. swamps.

Final Thoughts: Full sun, a spot by the patio and somebody to impress. Deer pass, while bees and butterflies RSVP YES. CORK OPTIONAL.