Hibiscus 'Red Heart' (Hibiscus syriacus) - flowering shrub - 17 cm pot - Height 45 cm

L'Hibiscus syriacus 'Red Heart' begins blooming in July, sometimes in late June in the warmest regions, and continues until'the first frosts of'October. T'his is one of its greatest strengths: its blooming period is among the longest in the shrub world, covering the whole of'summer when many'other shrubs have already faded. The flowers'open in continuous succession, each individual flower lasting only'one day but being immediately replaced by new buds. A well-established adult shrub can bear several hundred flowers throughout the season.

Hibiscus syriacus is one of the hardiest hibiscus species, and the 'Red Heart' cultivar is no exception. It can withstand frosts down to around -15°C, making it suitable for almost all of France, including continental regions and moderately high-altitude mountain areas. It is deciduous: its leaves fall naturally in autumn, and the woody stems can overwinter without any special protection once the plant is well established. A young plant newly planted will benefit from mulch around its base during its first winter to help establish its roots.

L'Hibiscus syriacus 'Red Heart' is an uncompromising sun-loving plant: it needs at least 6 hours of 'direct sunlight per day to flower abundantly. In a partially shaded position, flowering will be sparse, the shoots will 'become leggy, and the 'shrub will lose its vigor over several years. Choose a south or southwest-facing location, preferably 'sheltered from cold prevailing winds that can delay spring bud break. Terraces and retaining walls that retain heat provide ideal conditions. In a pot, place it where it will receive the most sunlight throughout the day.

The pruning of 'Hibiscus syriacus 'Red Heart' is 'done in late w'inter, ideally in March before the buds open. We shorten the branches from the 'previous year by cutting them by two-thirds, leaving two to four buds on each branch. This short pruning stimulates the 'production of many new shoots, each ending in flower buds: t'hey flower on the wood of the 'year that the 'hibiscus blooms. You must never prune in autumn, because the woody stems play a protective role for the dormant buds.

L'Hibiscus syriacus 'Red Heart' s'adapts to a wide variety of soils, from clay to sandy, including moderately alkaline limestone soils. The only major constraint is s'standing water: soil waterlogged in winter causes root rot and the death of t'he shrub. If your garden has heavy, compact soil, incorporate gravel or coarse sand at the bottom of the planting hole to improve drainage. A supply of mature compost enriches the structure and speeds up r'ooting without the risk of f'ertility excess.

L'Hibiscus syriacus 'Red Heart' lends itself to many combinations thanks to its late summer flowering, which takes over from 'spring-flowering shrubs. At the back of a border, it 'pairs perfectly with repeat-flowering shrub roses, with which it shares an 'love of sunshine and well-drained soil. In the foreground, lavender, agapanthus or blue or purple ornamental salvias create a colourful contrast with its white flowers with red centres. It also complements ornamental grasses such as miscanthus very well, which add lightness and movement to the background.

Yes, 'Hibiscus syriacus 'Red Heart' grows very well in a large pot or container on a very sunny terrace or balcony. Choose a container 'of at least 40 to 50 liters to allow the roots to develop properly and ensure a good water reserve. Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix enriched with compost, and place a drainage layer (clay 'balls or gravel) at the bottom of the pot. In a pot, 'watering must be more frequent than 'in the ground, especially during a heatwave.