Hibiscus 'Watermelon Ruffles'

Hibiscus 'Watermelon Ruffles': Ruffled Magenta So Big It Looks Fake

Magenta pink, heavily ruffled and notched at the tips, like a sundress that got caught in a fan. 'Watermelon Ruffles' handles the heat the way you wish your uncle handled the barbecue. WITHOUT A SINGLE MELTDOWN.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Hibiscus hybrid
• Common Name: Rose Mallow, Hardy Hibiscus
• Height: 120–140 cm (4–4.5 ft)
• Spread: 120–140 cm (4–4.5 ft)
• Flowers: Magenta pink, about 18 cm (7 in) across, with heavily ruffled petals notched at the tips
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall (July to September)
• Foliage: Dark green with a bronze cast
• Features: Heat tolerant

Where to Plant: Give it a spot where people will see it: the back of a sunny border, a corner by the patio, or the middle of a bed as a focal point. One plant fills a lot of space by midsummer, so it also works as a seasonal screen. It doesn't mind moist ground, which makes it a good fit for a low spot or the edge of a rain garden.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Watermelon Ruffles' in a sunny, moist bed with blue flag iris in spring and pink turtleheads in fall. 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. Chelone Tiny Tortuga™ adds dark pink turtleheads at 30 to 40 cm in August and September. Eupatorium 'Atropurpureum' rises behind at 150 to 210 cm with dusky rose-purple heads.

Plant Care: Plant it in full sun, in rich soil that stays evenly moist. Hardy hibiscus copes with heavy clay better than many perennials, but it sulks if it dries out, so water deeply in dry spells, especially in its first summer. Be patient in spring. Hardy hibiscus is one of the last perennials to wake up, often not showing new shoots until late May or June. Mark its spot so nobody digs into it by mistake. Cut the old woody stems down to about 10–15 cm (4–6 in) after a hard frost or in early spring. It grows from a tough crown and rarely needs dividing. Watch for Japanese beetles and hibiscus sawfly, which may chew the leaves in summer.

History: Hardy hibiscus hybrids come mainly from Hibiscus moscheutos and its relatives, wildflowers of marshes and riverbanks in eastern North America that reach north into southern Ontario wetlands. The breeder of 'Watermelon Ruffles' could not be confirmed from a reliable source.

Final Thoughts: Full sun, a hot spot and zero patience for fussing. Plant it and spit the seeds at the competition. SUMMER, SERVED CHILLED.