A night and day combination of matte black foliage and pure white flowers. 'Cookies and Cream' emerges in late spring already showing its dark foliage; the perfect backdrop to early season perennials. Like other dark-leaved Hardy Hibiscus, full sun is necessary to bring out the deepest foliage color. Beginning in midsummer slightly cupped 6-7" bright white flowers will appear. Each bloom is absent the typical red eye of Hardy Hibiscus, appearing solid white. The back of each petal has a slight pink blush near the tip. Green calyxes follow bloom and contrast nicely with the dark foliage.
Compared with older varieties of herbaceous Hibiscus, 'Cookies and Cream' is exceptionally compact and sturdy. Despite the smaller habit size, this selection does not lack for flowers. Blooms will appear the length of the stem, for top to bottom flower coverage, causing 'Cookies and Cream' to bloom both earlier and longer than traditional varieties.
These North American native plants bring massive, tropical-looking flowers all the way to zone 4. Although later to emerge than most perennials in spring, these are fast growing plants capable of adding an inch of new growth a day. Excellent at brightening up end of season gardens.
The SUMMERIFIC® trademark is owned by Walters Gardens, Inc.
72ct Plug Tray |
Grade #1 Bare Root |
Height:
2.5-3.0 Feet
Spread:
3.5-4.0 Feet
Hardiness Zones:
4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color:
White Shades
Foliage Color:
Near-black shades
Sunlight:
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs Consistent Water Needs
Soil Quality:
Poor Soil Quality Average Soil Quality Fertile Soil Quality
Soil Chemistry:
Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0)
Bloomtime:
Midsummer Late Summer
Attracts Wings:
Attracts Butterflies Bee Friendly
Critter Resistant:
Deer Resistant
Growth Rate:
Rapid
Garden Style:
Cottage Eclectic Rain Garden
Other Features:
Bog Plant Border Plant Specimen Focal Point
Origin:
Native to North America
Hibiscus love the sun and need moist, well-drained soil. Keeping these plants watered will result in larger flowers and lush foliage. Deadheading will improve the appearance of the plant. It is best to plant Hibiscus in the garden before the heat of the summer arrives, and should be heavily mulched the first winter. In spring, cut back any remaining stems before new growth appears. A strong pair of loppers or a saw will be necessary to cut this plant back. Be advised that Hibiscus is always one of the last perennials to emerge in spring. Its vigorous growth rate more than makes up for this late start, however. Japanese beetles find these plants especially delicious.
Container:
Premium 2 Gallon Pot
When to Plant:
Early to mid summer
Finish:
10-12 weeks
Container:
Premium 3 Gallon Pot
When to Plant:
Spring to late spring
Finish:
8-10 weeks
Growing Temperature:
65-72° F day and night (rooting out) then warmer
Soil PH:
5.5-6.2
EC (What is EC?):
2.5-3.5 pour through method
Fertility:
Keep plants well-watered and well-fed. 150-200 ppm N will encourage vigorous growth.
Vernalization:
Not required.
Pests & Diseases:
Aphids, caterpillars, Japanese beetles, mealybugs, scale, spider mites, thrips, and whitefilies are often observed on Hibiscus.
Botrytis, Leaf spots, Alternaria and Cercospora, Myrothecium, Phytophora, Pseudomonas, and rust.
Potting & Timing:
Bareroot plants can be trimmed to a 3-4" radius to fit the pot if necessary.
72s should be planted in 1 or 2 gallon containers and bareroot will need to go into 2 or 3 gallon containers.
Hibiscus can be pinched to encourage branching. Soft pinch the shoots when they are 6-8" long, leaving 4-6 leaves on each branch. Allow at least 6 weeks from pinching until the desired bloom date.
Moisture:
Consistent soil moisture is important. Never allow the plants to wilt or lower leaf loss, bud abortion and reduced quality characteristics will result.
Moist to moderate moisture requirements.
Planting Level:
Crown should be at or just above soil level.
PGRs/Pinching:
PGRs: Spray B-Nine at 3750 ppm and Cycocel at 1000 ppm or Sumagic alone at 5-7.5 ppm. For bareroot, a drench of 0.25 Sumagic may be used on more vigorous varieties, followed up by PGR sprays as needed. For best results begin PGR applications about 5-7 days following a pinch (look for new shoot growth first), use at 7 day intervals if additional control is needed.
Lighting:
High light is required for growth. Dark foliage varieties need direct sunlight to achieve color. It is recommended to grow these outdoors.
Grower Tips:
If early season forcing is desired then it is recommended to plant 72ct plugs into 2-3 gallon pots in mid summer for sales the following spring. Warm temperatures of 68-75° F and supplemental lighting are required to force Hibiscus. Plants flower in 12-14 weeks at 70° F.
Height:
2.5-3.0 Feet
Spread:
3.5-4.0 Feet
Hardiness Zones:
4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color:
White Shades
Foliage Color:
Near-black shades
Sunlight:
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs Consistent Water Needs
Soil Quality:
Poor Soil Quality Average Soil Quality Fertile Soil Quality
Soil Chemistry:
Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0)
Bloomtime:
Midsummer Late Summer
Attracts Wings:
Attracts Butterflies Bee Friendly
Critter Resistant:
Deer Resistant
Growth Rate:
Rapid
Garden Style:
Cottage Eclectic Rain Garden
Other Features:
Bog Plant Border Plant Specimen Focal Point
Origin:
Native to North America
Hibiscus love the sun and need moist, well-drained soil. Keeping these plants watered will result in larger flowers and lush foliage. Deadheading will improve the appearance of the plant. It is best to plant Hibiscus in the garden before the heat of the summer arrives, and should be heavily mulched the first winter. In spring, cut back any remaining stems before new growth appears. A strong pair of loppers or a saw will be necessary to cut this plant back. Be advised that Hibiscus is always one of the last perennials to emerge in spring. Its vigorous growth rate more than makes up for this late start, however. Japanese beetles find these plants especially delicious.
Container:
Premium 2 Gallon Pot
When to Plant:
Early to mid summer
Finish:
10-12 weeks
Container:
Premium 3 Gallon Pot
When to Plant:
Spring to late spring
Finish:
8-10 weeks
Growing Temperature:
65-72° F day and night (rooting out) then warmer
Soil PH:
5.5-6.2
EC (What is EC?):
2.5-3.5 pour through method
Fertility:
Keep plants well-watered and well-fed. 150-200 ppm N will encourage vigorous growth.
Vernalization:
Not required.
Pests & Diseases:
Aphids, caterpillars, Japanese beetles, mealybugs, scale, spider mites, thrips, and whitefilies are often observed on Hibiscus.
Botrytis, Leaf spots, Alternaria and Cercospora, Myrothecium, Phytophora, Pseudomonas, and rust.
Potting & Timing:
Bareroot plants can be trimmed to a 3-4" radius to fit the pot if necessary.
72s should be planted in 1 or 2 gallon containers and bareroot will need to go into 2 or 3 gallon containers.
Hibiscus can be pinched to encourage branching. Soft pinch the shoots when they are 6-8" long, leaving 4-6 leaves on each branch. Allow at least 6 weeks from pinching until the desired bloom date.
Moisture:
Consistent soil moisture is important. Never allow the plants to wilt or lower leaf loss, bud abortion and reduced quality characteristics will result.
Moist to moderate moisture requirements.
Planting Level:
Crown should be at or just above soil level.
PGRs/Pinching:
PGRs: Spray B-Nine at 3750 ppm and Cycocel at 1000 ppm or Sumagic alone at 5-7.5 ppm. For bareroot, a drench of 0.25 Sumagic may be used on more vigorous varieties, followed up by PGR sprays as needed. For best results begin PGR applications about 5-7 days following a pinch (look for new shoot growth first), use at 7 day intervals if additional control is needed.
Lighting:
High light is required for growth. Dark foliage varieties need direct sunlight to achieve color. It is recommended to grow these outdoors.
Grower Tips:
If early season forcing is desired then it is recommended to plant 72ct plugs into 2-3 gallon pots in mid summer for sales the following spring. Warm temperatures of 68-75° F and supplemental lighting are required to force Hibiscus. Plants flower in 12-14 weeks at 70° F.
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