This dazzling 2001 hybrid from the late Fleming Brothers makes a 3' tall compact clump adorned with hydrangea-shaped foliage. From late June (NC) until fall, Hibiscus 'Robert Fleming' is topped with clusters of large 7" shiny, black-cherry-red flowers. We could not find any matching color in the RHS color chart, so this is obviously a color not allowed in the UK. Moist soils are best, although this is amazingly drought-tolerant. Maintenance: Hibiscus 'Robert Fleming' is a very low maintenance perennial, provided they are growing in the proper conditions. When the plants go dormant in winter, the stalks remain upright and sturdy. We prefer to leave them to give birds a place to perch. The structure also helps the garden remain much more interesting in winter than a flat carpet of brown mulch. Hibiscus sawfly is the #1 pest of most hibiscus, causing skeletonized leaves. These can be treated with a beneficial bacteria product like Dipel, which contains BT bacillus. Growing Conditions: Hibiscus like 'Robert Fleming' grow naturally in standing shallow water, although they are quite drought tolerant for short period. The drier the soil, the more the plants will be stressed, which increases the severity of insect damage. Garden Value: Perennial hardy hibiscus add an upright garden form to the garden, as well as summer flowering when many spring perennials have finished flowering or gone dormant. Also, there are few plants with such a floral show that tolerates wet soil. Natural Impacts: Bees are the primarily pollinators of all of the herbaceous, hardy hibiscus.
