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

L'Hibiscus syriacus 'Woodbridge' is one of the 'shrubs with the longest summer flowering season in our temperate gardens. It produces its large, dark pink flowers with purple centers from July 'through September, providing nearly three months of continuous colour. Each individual flower lasts only 'a day, but the 'shrub produces so many in such succession that the 'decorative effect is constant. This late flowering is valuable because it takes over from roses and hydrangeas, filling the summer gap in the garden. Heat and 'direct sunlight maximise the number of flowers produced each week.

Yes, 'Hibiscus syriacus 'Woodbridge' is a perfectly hardy shrub, contrary to misconceptions stemming from its exotic appearance. It can withstand temperatures down to 'around -15°C, making it suitable for the vast majority of regions in France, including moderate-altitude mountain areas. The only precaution to take is during the first year after planting: a generous layer of mulch at the base (bark, fallen leaves) helps the still-young root system get through a harsh winter without any trouble.

L'Hibiscus syriacus 'Woodbridge' is a shrub that absolutely requires full sun to reach its full flowering potential. A south or west-facing position, ideally against a wall or fence that retains heat, is perfect for it. In partial shade, the plant survives reasonably well, but the flowering becomes noticeably less abundant and the flowers fade. Absolutely avoid locations exposed to cold north and northeast winds, which dry out the flower buds.

Pruning the 'Hibiscus syriacus 'Woodbridge' is straightforward and highly effective because this shrub flowers exclusively on the current year's wood. It should therefore be pruned in late 'winter, ideally in March before the plant breaks dormancy, by cutting back the previous year's stems to 3 or 4 buds from their base. This short pruning stimulates the 'growth of long, vigorous shoots, each bearing numerous flower buds by July.

L'Hibiscus syriacus 'Woodbridge' s'adapts to a wide range of soils, provided they drain well: it is above all sensitive to 'standing water in winter, which causes root rot. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral, moderately fertile soil, and even tolerates somewhat poor or alkaline soils with some amendments. For successful planting, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, incorporate mature compost and, in heavy or clay soils, add coarse sand or pumice to improve drainage.

L'Hibiscus syriacus 'Woodbridge' is a versatile shrub that excels both in free-form hedges and'as a specimen plant in the garden. For a hedge, plant the feet 60 to 80 cm apart to obtain a dense and very floriferous screen: this summer hedge provides a real colorful privacy screen during the hottest months, while supporting biodiversity by attracting bees and butterflies. As a specimen or featured in the center of'a flowerbed, it displays its full upright silhouette and its dark pink flowers offer a spectacular focal point from July to September.

L'Hibiscus syriacus 'Woodbridge' is a remarkably useful shrub for garden biodiversity, particularly because 'it blooms in the height of l'summer, a time when many flowering plants have already finished their cycle. Its large, open flowers with wide corollas are easily accessible to honeybees and wild bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and even hoverflies that come to forage for their nectar and pollen.