Summer Sizzler - 7. Hibiscus, Chinese Rose, Chinese Hibiscus, Hawaiian Hibiscus (Hindi Name – Gurhal)

Here is the seventh one of Great Summer Sizzlers series which I have started last year. Plant it and be cool all summer along with lovely and colorful flowers.

Hibiscus (Hindi Name – Gurhal) 

Common Name - Chinese Rose, Chinese Hibiscus, Hawaiian Hibiscus

Botanical name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

 Hibiscus flowers might be the most dramatic in the garden and can bloom as large as a child's head in gorgeous colors. The hibiscus plant itself is large and dramatic, and it needs plenty of space to show off. Although the huge funnel-shape flowers seldom last more than a day, they are abundant and the plant blooms over several weeks. The large leaves tend to draw Japanese beetles. Hibiscus needs plenty of water, so grow it in rich, loose, well-drained soil where you can water it easily and regularly during dry spells.

 Growing Hibiscus

Light:                               Sun

Type:                               Perennial

Height:                            From 3 to 20 feet

Width:                              3-5 feet wide

Flower Color:                  Red, Pink, Yellow, Orange and White

Seasonal Features:       Summer Bloom

Special Features:          Attracts Birds, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance 

The word hibiscus derived from the ancient Greek hibiskos, the name for the plant known as marsh mallow or white mallow. Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is quite large, containing more than 200 species that are native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. By recent count about 220 species of annuals, perennials, herbs, shrubs and trees belong to the genus Hibiscus. This is a genus of great diversity. Some hibiscuses originated in tropical regions of the world, other in temperate regions. Some are herbaceous, others woody. In habit they range from low-growing, spreading, types to upright, woody forms that reach up to six meter tall.

 The flowers of most species open early in the morning and begin to droop and wilt by late afternoon. Most last only one day, but a few varieties have flowers that last two days or more. While most hibiscus flowers are odorless, a few are modestly fragrant. The hibiscus flower can be found in many colors and sizes, which will determine the specific type of flower. According to research information there are more than a thousand color options, but no blue or black in the true sense. The sizes will vary from 2 inch blooms to 12 inch bloom

It is a beautiful plant. But apart from being beautiful, a hibiscus plant and flower is immensely useful too. 

Hope you enjoy the beauty!!

Happy Gardening and Always Live your Passion!! 

Shared with ABC Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday, Today's flower, Floral Flower Fotos, Ruby Tuesday Too, Outdoor Wednesday and Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.

Summer Sizzler - 6. Zinnia, Zinnia Elegans

Here is the sixth one of Great Summer Sizzlers series which I have started last year. Plant it and be cool all summer along with lovely flowers.

Zinnia 

Botanical name: Zinnia elegans 

 Want fast color for just pennies? Plant zinnias! A packet of seeds will fill an area with gorgeous flowers in an amazing array of shapes and colors -- even green! And it will happen in just weeks. There are dwarf types of zinnias, tall types, quill-leaf cactus types, spider types, multicolor, special seed blends for cutting, special blends for attracting butterflies, and more.

Zinnias are so highly attractive to butterflies that you can count on having these fluttering guests dining in your garden every afternoon. But to attract the most, plant lots of tall, red or hot pink zinnias in a large patch. 'Big Red' is especially nice for this, and the flowers are outstanding, excellent for cutting. Zinnias grow quickly from seed sown right in the ground and do best in full sun with dry to well-drained soil.

The compact cultivar 'Thumbelina' is perfect for pots. Brightly colored, button like blooms adorn this truly dwarf zinnia variety. It flowers all summer long in a wide range of colors.

Originally coming from Mexico, this is a very popular flower, with its wide range of colours and sizes. Many varieties differing in weight, shape, size and colour have been evolved. The leaves are oval and rough textured. There are single, semi-double or double flowers and the colours range from white, cream, yellow, orange over rose, purple scarlet, maroon, to lilac, lavender, magenta, mauve, salmon to violet. Grown as tall (75 - 90 cm), medium (45 - 60 cm) and dwarf (15 - 45 cm) varieties, Zinnias are suitable for beds, borders, and pots. The cut flowers are commonly used in flower arrangements. They are grown by seeds and survive best in light and medium loam soils, rich in organic matter and in a sunny environment. Frequent and heavy watering is required. Generally, there is no damage from insects. 

Growing Zinnia

Light:                                      Sun

Type:                                      Annual

Height:                                   From 1 to 8 feet

Width:                                    1 feet wide

Flower Color:                        Pink, Red, Orange, White

Seasonal Features:             Fall Bloom, Summer Bloom

Special Features:                 Attracts Birds, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance

Hope you enjoy the beauty!!

Happy Gardening and Always Live your Passion!! 

Shared with ABC Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday, Today's flower, Floral Flower Fotos, Ruby Tuesday Too , Outdoor Wednesday and Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.