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Trifoliate hibiscus is an annual or perennial plant from the genus of the same name, belongs to the malvaceae family. It is distinguished by very beautiful leaves of complex shape. Produces flowers of different colors from pure white to rich lilac. Propagated by both seeds and vegetative methods. The features of planting and caring for this plant are described in detail in the article.
Description of trifoliate hibiscus
Hibiscus trionum, also called northern hibiscus, is a beautiful herbaceous plant with interesting leaves. They have a complex structure, divided into three blades, which is what the name is associated with. The shape is round-oval or spatulate. The base of the plates is rounded. There is no pubescence, the surface is bare, except for the bottom - it is bristly and hairy. The color is rich green, while the leaf blades below are paler.
The stems of trifoliate hibiscus are straight, slightly curved at the corners, reaching a height of 5 to 75 cm. At the same time, the lower shoots are elongated and can rise or lie on the ground.The plant produces quite a lot of shoots, so it looks quite attractive both during flowering and after it.
Trifoliate hibiscus flowers are small, each of them has five petals, which can have different colors: lilac, white, pink, yellow-cream.
After flowering, hibiscus forms fruits in the form of small boxes. They appear from early summer until November. Small seeds ripen in each, reaching a length of 2-3 mm. The grains are covered with warts and have shades of gray-brown, reddish, brown, and sometimes dark green.
Where does it grow
The range of the trifoliate hibiscus is quite wide - it covers several countries and regions:
- Türkiye;
- Transcaucasia;
- Iran;
- India;
- Japan;
- China.
The plant is distinguished by beautiful flowers and attractive leaves of unusual shape.
The culture is found throughout North and South America, as well as Africa and Australia. Grows well on river banks and in shallows. Trifoliate hibiscus can also be found as a weed. It is found among the following crops: rice, alfalfa, corn, cotton and many others.
When and how does it bloom
Trifoliate hibiscus flowers are located directly in the axils of the leaf blades. Moreover, the peduncles are approximately the same length as the petioles and are covered with harsh hairs. The calyx looks like a small bell. The petals are oblong or ovoid in shape. Flowering occurs from June until September.
Trifoliate hibiscus variety Chinese Doctor
One of the common varieties of trifoliate hibiscus, which is often grown in central Russia and other regions, is the Chinese Doctor. The name is associated with the medicinal properties of the plant - it is believed that tea from it reduces the level of bad cholesterol and stimulates weight loss.
The variety is represented by plants of small height (reach 70 cm). The leaves, like those of other representatives, have a trifoliate-lobed shape. In most regions, this variety of hibiscus is grown through seedlings.
Flowering is observed from July to September, the color of the petals is yellow-cream. At the same time, the center is purple, contrasting noticeably against the general background. The petals are quite large, reaching 3-4 mm in diameter.
The Chinese Doctor variety is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and high decorative qualities. It can be used in single and group plantings. It looks especially beautiful in a flower bed, in a garden bed and as a garden fence.
Advantages and disadvantages
Trifoliate hibiscus is a truly beautiful plant, which is decorative thanks to not only its flowers, but also its leaves. It does not require special conditions, although it does need regular watering. If desired, even a gardener without experience can cope with cultivation.
Hibiscus has attractive flowers
Pros:
- very beautiful leaves;
- lush flowering;
- colorful petals;
- there are annual and perennial varieties;
- easy to care for;
- grows even on clay soils.
Minuses:
- may be affected by drought;
- The flowers only live for a day.
Landing rules
Trifoliate hibiscus is unpretentious and is grown as an annual plant (although there are also perennial varieties). In most regions, sowing of seedlings is required, which should be started before mid-March. Sequencing:
- First, make up a soil mixture of peat, humus, sand and turf soil in a ratio of 1:1:1:2.
- Place it in separate pots or in a common container.
- Plant trifoliate hibiscus seeds to a depth of 0.5 cm and water well.
- Cover with film, continue to water and ventilate periodically.
- After the emergence of seedlings, the shelter is removed, and when they form 3-4 true leaves, they are planted in different containers.
- Then, in early May, seedlings of trifoliate hibiscus can be transplanted into open ground.
Seedlings of perennial hibiscus can be planted at the end of April. To do this, choose a well-lit place, protected from draft winds. The soil may even be clayey, but not too wet. If the flowerbed is located in a low area, the trifoliate hibiscus may suffer greatly from excess moisture.
When landing, proceed as follows:
- Several holes 30 cm deep are formed at a distance of 50 cm.
- Lay a layer of stones, and on top of it - fertile soil.
- Trifoliate hibiscus seedlings are planted exactly in the center and covered with soil.
- Water and mulch.
Hibiscus grows well in well-lit areas
Features of care
When caring for trifoliate hibiscus, you need to remember the characteristics of this plant. The culture is unpretentious, but to ensure lush flowering, suitable conditions must be created. Experienced summer residents recommend following a few simple rules:
- Water the flower regularly, giving settled water. This is usually done twice a week, but if there is a dry period, water is given almost every day.At the same time, it is important to monitor the surface layer of the earth so that it remains moderately moist.
- To prevent the soil from compacting, it should be loosened periodically. If necessary, do weeding. It should be noted that the trifoliate hibiscus itself is a weed. Therefore, it is necessary to control its spread, especially as a result of self-seeding in the fall.
- Fertilizers are given to hibiscus trifoliata in the spring, during the appearance of buds and after 2-3 weeks. You can feed with complex formulations, as well as liquid organic matter. Moreover, at the beginning of the season, the main emphasis should be on nitrogen formulations.
- Perennial varieties of trifoliate hibiscus need to be pruned every spring. Already when planting, you should trim all the branches, leaving 2-3 buds. In subsequent years, the crown is formed, the lower shoots are removed, and the apical part of the trunk is also trimmed.
- If you need to transplant a trifoliate hibiscus, it is better to do this in early April. First, all shoots are shortened by half, after which they begin planting in a new place.
- Around the same time, it is recommended to sanitize the trifoliate hibiscus against diseases and pests.
How does it reproduce
For annual trifoliate hibiscus, the only method of propagation is to grow seedlings from seeds. In March they are sown in separate pots, and already in the first half of May they are transferred to a flower bed.
The first flowers appear 1-1.5 months after transplanting the seedlings
For perennial varieties, vegetative methods are more often practiced - obtaining cuttings and layering.In the first case, work begins at the very beginning of summer. The main stages are:
- Cut several green cuttings with three internodes.
- Plant in greenhouses with moist soil made of peat and sand in a 1:1 ratio.
- Cover with jars, water generously and ventilate.
- After a few weeks, pinch out the top shoot of the trifoliate hibiscus to encourage side branch growth.
- At the end of summer, transplant to a permanent place and carefully cover for the winter.
The plant can also be propagated by layering. To do this, at the end of spring, several healthy lower branches are bent to the soil, covered and watered well. Grow until autumn and then cut from the mother bush. Transfer to a permanent place, mulch and cover with lutrasil.
Diseases and pests
If you follow the described rules of care, the trifoliate hibiscus practically does not get sick. Although sometimes it can suffer from drought or, conversely, from excess moisture. If plaque or spots appear on the leaves, treat with Bordeaux mixture or other preparations as quickly as possible:
- "Tattu";
- "Ordan";
- "HOM";
- "Profit".
Often the plant suffers from pests such as spider mites, thrips, aphids or whiteflies. To combat them, proven insecticides are used, for example:
- "Inta-Vir";
- "Decis";
- "Vertimek";
- "Karbofos".
Conclusion
Hibiscus trifoliata is one of the best garden plants. Ideal for all kinds of flower beds and garden fencing. Features beautiful flowers and leaves. It grows well even on poor soils, but it needs regular and fairly strong watering.
