Hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus 'Clown')
Hibiscus 'Clown' is a stunning Hardy hibiscus offering dinner plate flowers from July to September. Perfect for wet areas.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Hibiscus ‘Clown’ is a show-stopping herbaceous perennial prized for producing some of the largest flowers available among hardy garden plants. This cultivar of Hardy hibiscus delivers massive, dinner plate-sized blossoms that brighten the mid to late summer landscape, lasting reliably from July through September. As a sturdy, woody-based hybrid, Hibiscus ‘Clown’ offers reliable structure and minimal fuss, making it an excellent focal point.
This vigorous variety thrives when provided with ample moisture, making it a perfect structural plant for challenging landscapes needing reliable summer color. Gardeners appreciate the low maintenance required for this plant, especially considering the dramatic visual impact of its pink flowers laced with fuchsia veins and dark red eyes. Incorporating Hibiscus ‘Clown’ ensures a bold textural and color statement throughout the warmest months.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Malvaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-4 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: July to September
- Bloom Description: Pink with fuchsia veins and red eye
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Hibiscus ‘Clown’ is best done in spring after the danger of frost has passed, ensuring it settles into moist, organically rich soils. While it prefers consistently moist conditions, this Hardy hibiscus is surprisingly adaptable and performs well in average garden soils, provided they do not dry out completely between waterings. Site selections should favor full sun for the best flower production, though some light shade is tolerated. Good air circulation is paramount to keeping stems strong and resisting potential diseases.
Watering must be deep and consistent, especially during peak summer heat, as leaf scorch results quickly if the soil dries out. Although maintenance is generally low, deadheading spent individual flowers keeps the plant looking tidy throughout its long bloom season. In late autumn, after frost has blackened the foliage, cut the stems back to just 3 to 4 inches above the ground.
Be patient in the spring, as new growth on this cultivar of Hibiscus ‘Clown’ can emerge slowly. Once new shoots appear, they grow rapidly, and the plant benefits significantly from regular feeding throughout the growing season to support massive flower production. For propagation, division or cuttings are successful methods for increasing your stock of this sturdy perennial.
Landscape Uses
The dramatic size and long bloom period of Hibiscus ‘Clown’ lend themselves perfectly to creating dramatic visual accents in the landscape. Use this plant as a specimen to anchor a border or mass planting where its structure can be appreciated throughout the season. Because of its preference for moisture, this variety excels in functional areas like rain gardens, low spots, or along the edges of ponds and streams where soil tends to stay damp.
Utilize the upright habit of this Hardy hibiscus to provide temporary vertical screening or height variation within perennial beds. While the individual flowers are fleeting, the sheer volume of blooms ensures continuous color when paired with shorter, similarly moisture-loving companions that complement the pinks and reds of the Hibiscus ‘Clown’.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Hybrid hardy hibiscus cultivars like Hibiscus ‘Clown’ are woody-based, vigorous perennials recognized for producing enormous flowers, often measuring 5 to 9 inches in diameter. While each individual blossom lasts only a single day, the plant compensates by opening one or more fresh flowers daily from mid-summer until frost, potentially yielding up to 250 blooms per season. This specific cultivar features striking pink flowers dramatically accented with fuchsia veining and dark red centers, easily distinguishing it from tropical varieties due to its reliable winter hardiness.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Wet Soil
Potential Problems
While generally robust, Hibiscus ‘Clown’ exhibits some susceptibility to common fungal issues, including leaf spots, blights, and rusts, alongside the chance of canker forming on woody parts. Healthy plants grown in the correct setting—full sun with good air movement—are the best defense against these problems. If you observe signs of fungal activity, immediately improve air circulation and ensure consistent but not soggy moisture levels.
Insect pests like aphids, whiteflies, and sawflies may occasionally be present, though the most concerning visitor is the Japanese beetle, which can quickly chew foliage down to the veins if left unmanaged. Inspect plants regularly during peak summer and treat infestations early. Remember that allowing the soil to dry out will lead to debilitating leaf scorch; consistent deep watering is a cultural requirement that also bolsters overall plant health against pests and disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Hardy hibiscus suitable for?
Hibiscus ‘Clown’ is reliably winter hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9.
How large does Hibiscus ‘Clown’ grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a height between 3 and 4 feet with a spread of 2 to 3 feet.
What sun exposure does Hibiscus ‘Clown’ need?
For optimal performance, Hibiscus ‘Clown’ requires full sun, which promotes the strongest stems and best flowering display while discouraging disease.
When does Hibiscus ‘Clown’ bloom?
This plant produces its large, showy blooms actively from July through September, featuring an attractive color combination of pink with fuchsia veins and a red eye.
Conclusion
The Hibiscus ‘Clown’ offers exceptional value to gardeners seeking low-maintenance, dramatic summer color, thriving readily in moist conditions where other perennials might falter. Its massive bloom size and reliable performance cement its place as a premier selection in the Hardy hibiscus lineup. Before planting, confirm your site falls within USDA Zones 5-9 and plan for consistent summer watering to ensure this spectacular perennial delivers its full floral potential.
Propagation Tips
As this is a woody-based perennial hybrid, spring division is the most common and effective way to propagate Hibiscus ‘Clown’ successfully. Wait until new growth is emerging—usually signaling that the plant has broken winter dormancy—to gently separate clumps, ensuring each division retains healthy roots and stem sections. Alternatively, cuttings taken from softwood growth during the early summer can be rooted under humid conditions to create new specimens true to the parent plant’s characteristics.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Early spring care involves cutting back the previous year’s stems to only 3 to 4 inches. As soon as new shoots start emerging (which can be slow initially), begin a consistent feeding regimen throughout the growing season to support the heavy nutrient demands required for producing 8-inch flowers. Mid-summer requires consistent deep watering, avoiding dry spells to prevent leaf scorch and maximize the bloom rate of your Hardy hibiscus. Fall cleanup is straightforward: wait until frost kills the foliage, then cut the stalks down completely.
