Product Description
Hibiscus 'Cookies and Cream' PPAF CPBRAF - Proven Winners® SUMMERIFIC® Collection (25) Bare Root Plants
Hibiscus 'Cookies and Cream', a striking new introduction from the SUMMERIC® Collection, offers a dramatic "night and day" contrast with its matte black foliage and pure white flowers. This hardy Rose Mallow emerges in late spring, already showcasing its intensely dark leaves, which provide a perfect, dramatic backdrop for other early-season perennials. To achieve the deepest possible foliage color, full sun exposure is essential. Beginning in midsummer and continuing through late summer, 'Cookies and Cream' produces an abundance of slightly cupped, impressive 6-7 inch bright white flowers. Each bloom is uniquely devoid of the typical red eye found in many hardy Hibiscus varieties, appearing as a solid, pristine white. A subtle pink blush near the tip of each petal's reverse adds an extra touch of refinement. After blooming, contrasting green calyxes emerge, maintaining visual interest against the dark foliage.
'Cookies and Cream' represents a significant improvement over older herbaceous Hibiscus varieties, boasting an exceptionally compact and sturdy habit without compromising on floral display. Despite its smaller size (2.5-3.0 feet tall), it offers top-to-bottom flower coverage, with blooms appearing along the entire length of the stem. This remarkable floriferousness means 'Cookies and Cream' begins blooming earlier and continues longer than traditional varieties, brightening end-of-season gardens with its massive, tropical-looking flowers. These North American native plants are fast-growing, capable of adding an inch of new growth per day, bringing a touch of the tropics all the way to Zone 4.
'Cookies and Cream' forms a compact, sturdy, and upright bush, reaching a height of 2.5-3.0 feet with a spread of 3.5-4.0 feet. The foliage is a distinctive matte black, emerging dark in late spring and maintaining its deep color throughout the season, especially in full sun. The leaves are broad and deeply lobed, typical of hardy Hibiscus. Beginning in midsummer, the plant produces abundant, slightly cupped, large flowers, 6-7 inches in diameter. These blooms are pure white with no central eye, though a subtle pink blush may be present on the reverse of the petal tips. Green calyxes develop after blooming, contrasting with the dark foliage. Blooms appear along the length of the stems, providing full coverage.
- Foliage: Matte black, emerging dark in late spring.
- Flowers: Pure white, slightly cupped, 6-7 inches in diameter, without a red eye. Slight pink blush on petal reverses. Prolific, appearing along entire stem length.
- Bloom Time: Midsummer to Late Summer, blooming earlier and longer than traditional varieties.
- Height: 2.5-3.0 Feet (76-91 cm)
- Spread: 3.5-4.0 Feet (107-122 cm)
- Growth Rate: Rapid (can add 1 inch of new growth per day once established).
- Attracts: Butterflies, Bees.
- Critter Resistant: Deer Resistant.
- Other Features: North American native, compact and sturdy habit, excellent for brightening end-of-season gardens, suitable for bog/rain gardens, specimen, focal point.
- Hardiness Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
- Flower Color: White Shades
- Foliage Color: Near-black shades
- Sunlight: Full Sun (> 6 hours Direct Sun). Tolerates Part Shade (4-6 hours Direct Sun), but deepest foliage color requires full sun.
- Water Requirements: Average Water Needs, Consistent Water Needs.
- Soil Quality: Tolerates Poor, Average, and Fertile Soil Quality.
- Soil Chemistry: Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0).
- PPAF: Plant Patent Applied For
- CPBRAF: Canadian Plant Breeders' Rights Applied For
- Trademark: SUMMERIFIC® is owned by Walters Gardens, Inc.
While 'Cookies and Cream' is a cultivated variety, its parent species, Hibiscus moscheutos (often the basis for hardy Hibiscus cultivars), is native to wetlands, marshes, and ditches throughout the southeastern and central United States. This native context explains its preference for moist conditions and its ability to thrive in a rain garden or bog-like environment.
Landscaping Design Tips
Hibiscus 'Cookies and Cream' is a spectacular perennial that offers dramatic color contrast and tropical flair, making it a standout in various garden settings.
- Dramatic Focal Point: Its combination of dark foliage and pristine white flowers makes it an instant focal point in any sunny garden. Plant it where its unique colors can be fully appreciated.
- Backdrop for Lighter Plants: The matte black foliage serves as a superb backdrop for perennials with lighter, brighter flowers or variegated foliage, making those colors pop.
- Cottage & Eclectic Gardens: Its massive, showy blooms bring a touch of the tropics to traditional cottage gardens, while its bold contrast makes it ideal for eclectic designs.
- Rain Garden & Bog Plant: Given its preference for moist soil and native habitat in wetlands, 'Cookies and Cream' is an excellent choice for rain gardens, boggy areas, or along pond edges where it can help manage excess water.
- Border Plant: Use it in the middle to back of large perennial borders to provide significant height, structure, and late-season bloom.
- Mass Planting: For a truly breathtaking effect, plant 'Cookies and Cream' in groups of three or more. The collective display of dark foliage and abundant white flowers will create a stunning visual impact.
- Container Gardening (Large): While sizable, it can be grown in very large containers, providing a mobile tropical statement for patios or decks. Ensure consistent watering.
- Late Season Interest: As a "late to emerge" perennial, it is invaluable for extending the garden's season of interest, providing fresh foliage and spectacular blooms when many other plants are fading.
- Wildlife Attraction: Plant where its massive blooms can be appreciated by the butterflies and bees it attracts.
Hardiness
Hibiscus 'Cookies and Cream' is remarkably hardy, thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9. This wide range indicates its ability to withstand cold winters and hot summers, making it a reliable and long-lived perennial in most temperate climates.
Planting and Cultivation
- Location: For the deepest, richest matte black foliage color and abundant flowering, 'Cookies and Cream' absolutely requires full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day). While it can tolerate part shade (4-6 hours direct sun), foliage color will be less intense, and flowering may be reduced.
- Soil: This hardy Hibiscus is adaptable to poor, average, or fertile soil quality. However, it prefers acidic soil (pH < 7.0). The most crucial factor is consistent moisture. While it tolerates a range of soil types, it performs best in soils that remain evenly moist but are not waterlogged, mimicking its native boggy habitats. Amending with organic matter can improve water retention without sacrificing drainage.
- Planting:
- Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and at least twice as wide.
- Carefully remove the plant from its container, gently loosening any circling roots.
- Place the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with or slightly below the surrounding soil.
- Backfill with soil, gently tamping down to remove air pockets.
- Water thoroughly immediately after planting, and continue to provide consistent moisture to aid establishment.
- Watering: 'Cookies and Cream' has average to consistent water needs. Given its preference for moist conditions, especially during hot summer months, consistent watering is crucial for optimal growth and flowering. It can tolerate standing water for short periods, making it suitable for rain gardens.
- Fertilization: In average to fertile soils, a light application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges is usually sufficient. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can promote foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
- Maintenance:
- Late Emergence: Be patient in spring; hardy Hibiscus are typically one of the last perennials to emerge from dormancy. Do not assume the plant has died if it's late to show signs of life.
- Pruning: In late winter or early spring, cut back all old stems to about 4-6 inches from the ground, just before new growth begins. This encourages fresh, vigorous growth and abundant flowering.
- Deadheading: While not strictly necessary, deadheading spent flowers can improve the plant's appearance and may encourage a few more late-season blooms, though it is naturally very floriferous.
- Pests and Diseases: Hardy Hibiscus are generally robust. Watch for Japanese beetles, which can chew holes in leaves, and occasionally aphids. Fungal issues are rare, though good air circulation helps. 'Cookies and Cream' specifically boasts deer resistance.
- Winter Protection: In colder parts of Zone 4, applying a layer of mulch around the base of the plant in late fall can provide extra winter protection, though the plant is inherently cold hardy.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
