Hibiscus 'Blue Chiffon®' (Hibiscus syriacus) - flowering shrub - 19 cm pot - Height 90 cm

Yes, theHibiscus syriacus Blue Chiffon® is a fully hardy shrub, capable of withstanding temperatures down to around -15°C when planted in the ground. In the ground in temperate regions, it can remain outdoors all year round without any special protection. In a pot, however, the limited volume of soil exposes the roots more to frost: it is advisable to place the pot against a warm south-facing wall and wrap the container in horticultural fleece.

The pruning of 'Hibiscus syriacus Blue Chiffon® is done in spring, ideally between March and April, as soon as the buds begin to swell and any risk of severe frost has passed. On a standard plant, shorten each crown branch to two or three well-formed buds, or about 10 to 15 cm from the base of the crown. This hard pruning may seem severe, but it is essential to stimulate vigorous new growth that will produce abundant flowers from 'summer through'to 'autumn.

L'Hibiscus syriacus Blue Chiffon® is a full-sun plant that needs 'at least six hours of 'direct sunlight daily to flower profusely. On a terrace, choose a south- or west-facing position, sheltered from cold prevailing winds that dry out the foliage and inhibit flowering. A partially shaded position will significantly reduce the number of flowers and cause the branches to become leggy and unsightly.

L'Hibiscus syriacus Blue Chiffon® is 'one of the latest and most long-lasting flowering shrubs in the garden. Its blooming starts in July and continues until'the first frosts of'October, sometimes November in milder regions. Each flower lasts only'one day, but they follow one another in such great numbers that the plant seems constantly in bloom for more than three months. The flowers of Blue Chiffon® are particularly remarkable: double to semi-double, 'a warm lavender-blue with a delicate white center marked with purple veins.

In a pot, 'Hibiscus syriacus Blue Chiffon® requires regular but careful watering. The golden 'rule is never to leave water in the saucer, as this would cause root suffocation and yellowing of the foliage. Wait until the top two to three centimeters of the substrate are dry before 'watering again, providing enough 'water so that 'it 'drains through the drainage holes. In the height of summer and in intense heat, this may mean watering daily or even twice a day if the pot is small and very exposed.

L'Hibiscus syriacus Blue Chiffon® plants very well in the ground in the majority of French gardens, provided that the soil is sufficiently well-drained. It tolerates a wide variety of soil types, from slightly sandy soils to loamy soils, provided that 'they are not constantly waterlogged. Heavy clay soils will need to be lightened with coarse sand and compost before planting. Prefer neutral to slightly acidic soil, with a pH between 6 and 7.

Trained on a single stem, l'Hibiscus syriacus Blue Chiffon® is perfectly suited to small spaces such as terraces, balconies, and small urban gardens. Its slender habit and compact crown allow it d'to take up little ground space while offering maximum visual impact in height. In a pot 30 to 40 cm in diameter, it can remain in the same container for several years, provided it is gradually repotted every two to three years. It c'ombines very well with o'ther Mediterranean or summer plants in pots: lavender, agapanthus, geraniums, or shrubby salvias.