| Hibiscus moscheutos "Luna" is hardy outdoors in zones 5-9. Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun. Best in moist, organically rich soils, but does surprisingly well in average garden soils as long as those soils are not allowed to dry out. Regular deep watering is necessary. Tolerates some light shade, but full sun with good air circulation produces the best flowers, strongest stems and best environment for resisting potential diseases. Site in locations protected from strong winds to minimize risk of wind burn. Growing tips may be pinched when they reach 8? and again at 12? to promote bushiness, although ?Luna? by reputation branches well without pinching. Deadhead individual flowers to maintain plant appearance. Cut back stems to approximately 3-4? tall in late autumn. New growth shoots are slow to emerge in spring. However, once new growth begins, it proceeds rapidly. Plants will benefit from regular fertilization during the growing season. ? ?Luna? is a vigorous, sturdy, rounded, somewhat shrubby, woody-based hibiscus (or rose mallow) cultivar. It features dinner plate-sized, five-petaled, hollyhock-like flowers (6-7? diameter). Flowers are white with pink in the center and a deep red eye. Each flower has a prominent and showy creamy white to pale yellow central staminal column. Individual flowers last only one day, but one or more flowers usually open each day, in succession, over a long mid-summer to early fall bloom period. Flowers are among the largest produced by any perennial that is winter hardy in your gardenig region. |
