‘Perfect Storm’ is best planted as a container-grown nursery specimen in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. It is slow to grow each spring, among the last plants to sprout and develop, but it then grows quickly and can shoot up to 3 feet by the time it blooms in mid-summer. Even though this plant functions as a small shrub during the summer, it is a herbaceous perennial. This means it will die back completely to ground level in winter before re-emerging with new growth next spring. ‘Perfect Storm’ will be one of the last perennials to push up new shoots in the spring (sometime in late May or June in a USDA zone 4 or zone 5 landscape, for example), so do not give up when it hasn’t come back to life at the same time as the other herbaceous perennials in your landscape. In spring as new stem growth begins to emerge, use a strong pair of loppers or a saw to cut down to ground level any woody stems remaining from last year. Do not prune or trim this plant in the fall.
Light
Hardy hibiscus will bloom best if located in full sun, which means six to eight hours of directly sunlight per day. It tolerates some light shade, but full sun with good air circulation produces the most flowers and strongest stems.
Soil
This plant prefers moist, but not waterlogged soil. While ‘Perfect Storm’ hibiscus will survive in soil of average fertility, it will perform better in more fertile conditions. If soil is not fertile, spread and mix in soil amendments annually.
Water
Water enough to keep the soil consistently moist, provided the soil drains well. In good rich soil, about 1 inch of water per week is usually sufficient, but dry soil may require more frequent watering. To help with water retention as well as drainage, mix compost into the soil. Do not let the soil dry out, as this can lead to leaf scorch.
Temperature and Humidity
Like most hardy hibiscus, ‘Perfect Storm’ thrives in zones 5 to 9. It can usually survive in zone 4, if the roots are protected for the winter with mulch. The hybrid types are often more cold-hardy than the species. ‘Perfect Storm’ thrives in heat and sun, but this moisture-loving plant must be kept well hydrated. It is quite tolerant of both dry and humid atmospheric conditions, provided the soil is kept moist.
Fertilizer
To keep the plant well-fed, use a balanced fertilizer. Follow instructions on the package to feed your plants once a year in spring. Always water well after applying fertilizer. Avoid phosphorus-heavy fertilizers, as this can damage plants and reduce flowering.
Types of Hardy Hibiscus
‘Perfect Storm’ is one popular cultivar derived from a hybrid cross that includes Hibiscus moscheutos, a species native to damp wetlands of North America, as a key parent. Other cultivars of this particular hybrid offer different flower colors, improved hardiness range, and different heights. Some popular ones include:
‘Disco Belle White’ grows to 30 inches, with pure white flowers with red centers.‘Fireball’ has bright red flowers and can grow as much as 6 feet tall.‘Luna Pink Swirl’ has white flowers with pink swirls, with raspberry pink centers. It grows to 3 feet tall. The Luna series also includes ‘Luna White’, ‘Luna Blush’, and ‘Luna Red’, with similar growth habits.‘Southern Belle’ has flowers that show traces of white, pink, and red, on plants that grow 3 feet tall. It has very large flowers, 8 to 10 inches across.
In addition, there are several other hybrid hibiscuses that also have H. moscheutos as one of the parents:
‘Lady Baltimore’ has deep pink flowers with red centers. It grows as much as 6 feet tall and is hardy in zones 5 to 9.‘Pinot Grigio’ has large 10-inch white flowers tinged with pink, with small wine-red centers. Hardy in zones 5 to 9, it grows to 30 inches tall.‘Old Yella’ has extremely large (up to 10-inch) white flowers containing a tinge of yellow, with dark red centers. It grows to 4 feet and is hardy in zones 4 to 9.‘Cherry Cheesecake’ flowers are large, up to 8 inches in diameter, with a magenta or cherry red center surrounded by pinkish-white; plants grow to 5 feet tall.‘Cranberry Crush’ has solid scarlet flowers, 7 to 8 inches in diameter; plants grow to 4 feet tall.‘Berry Awesome’ is a tall cultivar that grows to 4 feet tall and produces large 7- to 8-inch ruffled, lavender-pink flowers with a cherry red eye.
Pruning
In the late spring, trim off the dead stems to a few inches above the ground as new shoots are beginning to emerge. Hardy hibiscus plants do not require pruning beyond this, but trimming off the tips when stems are about 12 inches tall can make the plants flower more profusely. As with most perennials, deadheading spent flowers can prompt more blooms.
Propagating ‘Perfect Storm’ Hibiscus
Although the original ‘Perfect Storm’ hibiscus is not copyright protected, it is is is usually sold in a trademarked form, such as Summerific® ‘Perfect Storm. As such, it should not be propagated in any way, vegetatively or by collected seeds. Doing so could potentially lead to legal action, especially if plants are shared with others or offered for sale. Other, non-protected cultivars of the H. moscheutos hybrids are best propagated by rooting stem cuttings. This is best done in late spring or early summer, after new growth has begun. Here’s how to do it:
Potting & Repotting ‘Perfect Storm’ Hibiscus
Like other hardy hibiscus cultivars, ‘Perfect Storm’ adapts well to being grown year-round in containers on a deck or patio. Choose a fairly large container, with a diameter at least 8 inches larger than the root ball. This will provide enough space so the plant can go two or three years before repotting. The pot can be of any material, but plastic is a good choice as it holds in moisture well, which is appreciated by these moisture-loving plants. The pot should have at least one drainage hole, but these plants don’t mind a consistently moist soil. Use a good peat-based potting mix, which has good moisture-retaining properties. Plant the specimen so that the root ball sits on several inches of potting mix, with the top of the root ball about 1 inch below the lip of the pot. Backfill with potting mix, and cover the surface with bark chips to conserve moisture. When grown in pots, ‘Perfect Storm’ will need frequent watering to satisfy its needs for moist conditions. This can mean daily watering during hot weather. It will also require monthly feeding with diluted fertilizer. Potted hibiscus tends to flower best if its roots are slightly root-bound. You can usually go two or three years before repotting, and when you do, move up to a pot only slightly larger.
Overwintering
‘Perfect Storm’ hibiscus is generally reliably hardy in zones 5 to 9, and zone 4 gardeners can usually grow it successfully if they cover it in the winter with a good layer of dry mulch, such as straw or pine boughs. Do not cut down the stems until new growth begins the following spring, as these stems help mark the location of these late-sprouting plants.
Getting ‘Perfect Storm’ Hibiscus to Bloom
If fed each spring and placed in a sunny location, ‘Perfect Storm’ will generally bloom continually from mid-summer into fall. Each blossom lasts just a day, but new ones are steadily produced. If they fail to bloom, possible reasons include:
Plant is not getting enough sun. Ideally, they need six to eight hours of direct sun per day in order to bloom robustly.Soil is not fertile enough. While once a year feeding in the spring is normally enough, in poor soil, an extra feeding may stimulate blossoming for plants that were languishing.Plant is getting too much phosphorus. Hardy hibiscus is sensitive to phosphorus, and may withhold flowers if the soil builds up too much of this mineral. When feeding this plant, use a balanced fertilizer, not a phosphorus-heavy formulation.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
By far the most common pest with Hibiscus moscheutos and other hardy hibiscus cultivars is Japanese beetles. They are best handled by picking them off by hand or spraying with a horticultural oil. Other insect pest include sawflies, whiteflies, mealybugs, and aphids, which can be handled by spraying with neem oil. Hardy hibiscus can be susceptible to a variety of fungal diseases, including leaf spot, rust, and canker diseases. These can often be avoided if you make sure to water at ground level rather than splashing water from overhead. Plants that do become infected with fungal diseases can be treated with a copper-based fungicide.
Common Problems With ‘Perfect Storm’ Hibiscus
Hardy hibiscuses like ‘Perfect Storm’ are normally rather easy to grow, aside from the pest and disease issues (see above). But if you notice the leaves scorching and turning brown along the edges, it is likely because the soil is too dry. Blending in organic material such as compost or peat moss can relieve this problem. ‘Perfect Storm’ is a relatively short cultivar that is less likely to flop than other types. But it can become leggy if grown in shady conditions, and in this case, may need to be staked or caged.
