Hibiscus Summerific® 'Holy Grail'

Hibiscus Summerific® 'Holy Grail': Red Blooms, Near-Black Leaves, Big Drama

Near-black leaves, deep red flowers the size of a hubcap and the absolute confidence of a sports car parked on the front lawn. This rose mallow doesn't ask for attention. IT COLLECTS IT.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Hibiscus hybrid
• Common Name: Rose Mallow, Hardy Hibiscus
• Series: Summerific®, a Proven Winners® perennial
• Height: 120–135 cm (4–4.5 ft)
• Spread: 135–150 cm (4.5–5 ft)
• Flowers: Rich, deep red, 20–23 cm (8–9 in) across, followed by bright green calyxes
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall (July to September)
• Foliage: Near-black, oval leaves
• Features: 2018 Farwest Show Judges' and People's Choice Awards of Merit, University of Guelph Consumer Top 10 Perennial (2020)

Where to Plant: This is a big plant with big presence, so give it room in the middle or back of a sunny border, or let it stand alone as a focal point on a lawn or by the driveway. It likes moisture, so damp clay and rain gardens suit it well.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Holy Grail' in a sunny, moist bed with blue flag iris, rose obedient plant and dark-leaved snakeroot. Acorus 'Oborozuki' edges the front with golden, grass-like blades at 25 to 30 cm. Iris versicolor opens native violet-blue flag iris at 60 to 80 cm in May and June. Physostegia 'Crown Rose' adds rose-pink spikes at 50 cm from July to September. Eupatorium 'Chocolate' brings dark leaves and white flowers at 90 to 120 cm from August to October.

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: Walters Gardens of Zeeland, Michigan, introduced 'Holy Grail' as part of its Summerific® collection, and it won both the Judges' and People's Choice Awards of Merit at the 2018 Farwest Show. It was also named a Consumer Top 10 Perennial in the University of Guelph's 2020 trials, a nice nod from Ontario.

Final Thoughts: Full sun and a front-row seat. The neighbours will slow down every time they drive by. LET THEM RUBBERNECK.