Alyogyne huegelii Plant Care Reminders

Blue hibiscus

General Information

• Instruction By	Steve Brigham
  Notes	Blue Hibiscus is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant Australian shrub that is popular for its showy blue, purple, or even white flowers that are produced off and on throughout the year. Hardy to around 23 degrees F., it needs a well-drained soil to grow well; and occasional pruning is important to make it bloom better and also lengthen its life. The several named varieties make the showiest, most compact garden plants -- look for 'Monterey Bay' or 'Mood Indigo' if you want a dark purple-flowered variety.
  Sunset Zones	1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22  23  24  25  26  27  28  29  30  31  32  33  34  35  36  37  38  39  40  41  42  43  44  45
  USDA Zones	1  2a  2b  3a  3b  4a  4b  5a  5b  6a  6b  7a  7b  8a  8b  9a  9b  10a  10b  11  12

Plant Care Instruction

• Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

  January 1. Protect Protect from heavy frost.

  February 1. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. 2. Protect Protect from heavy frost.

  March 1. Buy Buy healthy, vigorous plants. 2. Plant Plant in full sun (a little shade is fine in hot-summer areas) in well-drained soil. 3. Fertilize After pruning, fertilize very lightly with a balanced plant food and water in well. 4. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. 5. Prune Prune moderately to control size and keep plants bushy. This will encourage fresh new growth and bloom, and prolong the plant's life. 6. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to conserve water use, but don't let the mulch get too close to the base of the plant.

  April 1. Buy Buy healthy, vigorous plants. 2. Plant Plant in full sun (a little shade is fine in hot-summer areas) in well-drained soil. 3. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. 4. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to conserve water use, but don't let the mulch get too close to the base of the plant. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for ants and the scale insects and mealybugs that they can farm at the base of the plant and along the stems. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Control ants, which will usually eliminate scale and mealybug problems. Control snails if they are a problem with a product containing iron phosphate.

  May 1. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. 2. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to conserve water use, but don't let the mulch get too close to the base of the plant. 3. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for ants and the scale insects and mealybugs that they can farm at the base of the plant and along the stems. 4. Treat for Pest/Disease Control ants, which will usually eliminate scale and mealybug problems. Control snails if they are a problem with a product containing iron phosphate. 5. Propagate Propagate from softwood cuttings of firm young growth.

  June 1. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. 2. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to conserve water use, but don't let the mulch get too close to the base of the plant. 3. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for ants and the scale insects and mealybugs that they can farm at the base of the plant and along the stems. 4. Treat for Pest/Disease Control ants, which will usually eliminate scale and mealybug problems. Control snails if they are a problem with a product containing iron phosphate. 5. Propagate Propagate from softwood cuttings of firm young growth.

  July 1. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. 2. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to conserve water use, but don't let the mulch get too close to the base of the plant. 3. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for ants and the scale insects and mealybugs that they can farm at the base of the plant and along the stems. 4. Treat for Pest/Disease Control ants, which will usually eliminate scale and mealybug problems. Control snails if they are a problem with a product containing iron phosphate. 5. Propagate Propagate from softwood cuttings of firm young growth.

  August 1. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. 2. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to conserve water use, but don't let the mulch get too close to the base of the plant. 3. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for ants and the scale insects and mealybugs that they can farm at the base of the plant and along the stems. 4. Treat for Pest/Disease Control ants, which will usually eliminate scale and mealybug problems. Control snails if they are a problem with a product containing iron phosphate. 5. Propagate Propagate from softwood cuttings of firm young growth.

  September 1. Buy Buy healthy, vigorous plants. 2. Plant Plant in full sun (a little shade is fine in hot-summer areas) in well-drained soil. 3. Fertilize After pruning, fertilize very lightly with a balanced plant food and water in well. 4. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. 5. Prune Prune moderately to control size and keep plants bushy. This will encourage fresh new growth and bloom, and prolong the plant's life. 6. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to conserve water use, but don't let the mulch get too close to the base of the plant. 7. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for ants and the scale insects and mealybugs that they can farm at the base of the plant and along the stems. 8. Treat for Pest/Disease Control ants, which will usually eliminate scale and mealybug problems. Control snails if they are a problem with a product containing iron phosphate. 9. Propagate Propagate from softwood cuttings of firm young growth.

  October 1. Buy Buy healthy, vigorous plants. 2. Plant Plant in full sun (a little shade is fine in hot-summer areas) in well-drained soil. 3. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. 4. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to conserve water use, but don't let the mulch get too close to the base of the plant.

  November 1. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. 2. Protect Protect from heavy frost.

  December 1. Protect Protect from heavy frost.

• Buy When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share! February Buy healthy, vigorous plants. March Buy healthy, vigorous plants. April Buy healthy, vigorous plants. September Buy healthy, vigorous plants. October Buy healthy, vigorous plants. November Buy healthy, vigorous plants from a specialty nursery.

  Plant When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions? February Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. March Plant in full sun (a little shade is fine in hot-summer areas) in well-drained soil. April Plant in full sun (a little shade is fine in hot-summer areas) in well-drained soil. September Plant in full sun (a little shade is fine in hot-summer areas) in well-drained soil. October Plant in full sun (a little shade is fine in hot-summer areas) in well-drained soil. November Plant in full sun in well-drained soil.

  Fertilize When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year? March After pruning, fertilize very lightly with a balanced plant food and water in well. September After pruning, fertilize very lightly with a balanced plant food and water in well.

  Water Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year? January Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. February Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. March Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. April Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. May Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. June Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. July Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. August Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. September Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. October Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. November Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering. December Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, but don't over-water. Established plants need only weekly or twice-monthly watering.

  Prune When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements? March Prune moderately to control size and keep plants bushy. This will encourage fresh new growth and bloom, and prolong the plant's life. September Prune moderately to control size and keep plants bushy. This will encourage fresh new growth and bloom, and prolong the plant's life.

  Mulch Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much? March Maintain a generous mulch around plants to conserve water use, but don't let the mulch get too close to the base of the plant. April Maintain a generous mulch around plants to conserve water use, but don't let the mulch get too close to the base of the plant. May Maintain a generous mulch around plants to conserve water use, but don't let the mulch get too close to the base of the plant. June Maintain a generous mulch around plants to conserve water use, but don't let the mulch get too close to the base of the plant. July Maintain a generous mulch around plants to conserve water use, but don't let the mulch get too close to the base of the plant. August Maintain a generous mulch around plants to conserve water use, but don't let the mulch get too close to the base of the plant. September Maintain a generous mulch around plants to conserve water use, but don't let the mulch get too close to the base of the plant. October Maintain a generous mulch around plants to conserve water use, but don't let the mulch get too close to the base of the plant.

  Protect When and how should you protect this plant from birds, deer, rabbits? Does this plant need be covered, or wrapped or painted or moved? January Protect from heavy frost. February Protect from heavy frost. November Protect from heavy frost. December Protect from heavy frost.

  Pest/Disease Inspection What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear? April Watch for ants and the scale insects and mealybugs that they can farm at the base of the plant and along the stems. May Watch for ants and the scale insects and mealybugs that they can farm at the base of the plant and along the stems. June Watch for ants and the scale insects and mealybugs that they can farm at the base of the plant and along the stems. July Watch for ants and the scale insects and mealybugs that they can farm at the base of the plant and along the stems. August Watch for ants and the scale insects and mealybugs that they can farm at the base of the plant and along the stems. September Watch for ants and the scale insects and mealybugs that they can farm at the base of the plant and along the stems.

  Treat for Pest/Disease How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements? April Control ants, which will usually eliminate scale and mealybug problems. Control snails if they are a problem with a product containing iron phosphate. May Control ants, which will usually eliminate scale and mealybug problems. Control snails if they are a problem with a product containing iron phosphate. June Control ants, which will usually eliminate scale and mealybug problems. Control snails if they are a problem with a product containing iron phosphate. July Control ants, which will usually eliminate scale and mealybug problems. Control snails if they are a problem with a product containing iron phosphate. August Control ants, which will usually eliminate scale and mealybug problems. Control snails if they are a problem with a product containing iron phosphate. September Control ants, which will usually eliminate scale and mealybug problems. Control snails if they are a problem with a product containing iron phosphate.

  Propagate When's a good time to divide, take cuttings, layer or propagate this plant. Any special requirements? May Propagate from softwood cuttings of firm young growth. June Propagate from softwood cuttings of firm young growth. July Propagate from softwood cuttings of firm young growth. August Propagate from softwood cuttings of firm young growth. September Propagate from softwood cuttings of firm young growth.