Product Description
Hibiscus 'Garnet Globes' PPAF CPBRAF - Proven Winners® SUMMERIFIC® Collection (25) Bare Root Plants
Hibiscus 'Garnet Globes', a standout selection from the SUMMERIFIC® Collection, is an incredibly compact yet powerfully impactful hardy Rose Mallow. This cultivar forms a neat, symmetrical sphere in the landscape, reaching a manageable three feet in both height and width. Beginning in midsummer and continuing through late summer, 'Garnet Globes' explodes with an abundance of massive 7-inch wide, dark garnet red flowers, completely covering the habit from top to bottom. These stunning blooms are notable for their unusually dark central eyes, providing a rich, deep contrast. The broad, dark olive-green foliage creates an attractive backdrop, allowing the intensely colored flowers to truly pop. Compared to larger varieties like 'Valentine's Crush', 'Garnet Globes' offers a deeper shade of red and a more compact size, making it a perfect fit for a variety of garden applications. As a North American native, this fast-growing perennial brings massive, tropical-looking flowers all the way to Zone 4, and despite its late emergence in spring, its vigorous growth more than compensates, quickly adding an inch of new growth per day to brighten end-of-season gardens.
'Garnet Globes' exhibits an incredibly compact, rounded, and dense growth habit, forming a sphere approximately three feet tall and three feet wide. The foliage consists of broad, dark olive-green leaves. The most striking feature is its very large (7-inch wide) flowers, which are a deep, dark garnet red with notably dark central eyes. These blooms appear profusely along the entire length of the stems, providing complete flower coverage from midsummer through late summer. The plant emerges later in spring compared to most perennials but exhibits rapid growth once it begins.
- Foliage: Broad, dark olive-green leaves. Forms a compact, spherical habit.
- Flowers: Massive (7" wide), dark garnet red with notably dark eyes. Prolific, appearing along the entire stem length.
- Bloom Time: Midsummer to Late Summer.
- Height: 3.0-3.5 Feet (91-107 cm)
- Spread: 3.0 Feet (91 cm)
- Growth Rate: Rapid (capable of adding an inch of new growth per day).
- Attracts: Butterflies, Bees.
- Critter Resistant: Deer Resistant.
- Other Features: North American native, incredibly compact and sturdy, 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: Red shades (dark garnet red)
- Foliage Color: Green shades (dark olive-green)
- Sunlight: Full Sun (> 6 hours Direct Sun). Tolerates Part Shade (4-6 hours Direct Sun), but best performance in 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 'Garnet Globes' 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 environments like rain gardens or boggy areas.
Landscaping Design Tips
Hibiscus 'Garnet Globes' is an exceptional perennial for adding bold color and tropical drama to your garden, especially valuable for its compact size.
- Compact Focal Point: Its spherical, dense habit and massive, dark red flowers make it an outstanding focal point in smaller gardens or the middle of borders where a more contained large plant is desired.
- Mid-Border Star: Perfectly sized for the middle of perennial borders, providing significant structure and vibrant late-season color without overpowering neighboring plants.
- Cottage & Eclectic Gardens: The lush, tropical appearance of its blooms fits beautifully into both informal cottage garden schemes and more daring eclectic designs.
- Rain Garden & Bog Plant: Given its preference for moist soil and native wetland origins, 'Garnet Globes' is an excellent choice for rain gardens, boggy areas, or along pond edges, where it can thrive in consistent moisture.
- Mass Planting for Impact: Plant in groups of three or more for a truly stunning display. The collective impact of its dark red blooms and uniform habit will create a vibrant sea of color.
- Large Container Gardening: Its compact yet substantial size makes it an excellent choice for very large patio containers, bringing a bold, tropical statement to decks, patios, or poolside areas. Consistent watering is crucial in containers.
- 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 beginning to fade.
- Wildlife Attraction: Plant where the butterflies and bees can appreciate its massive blooms it attracts, contributing to a lively garden ecosystem.
- Color Theme: Use its deep garnet red to anchor color themes, pairing it with complementary yellows, oranges, or contrasting silvers and light greens.
Hardiness
Hibiscus 'Garnet Globes' is remarkably hardy, thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9. This wide range indicates its ability to withstand very cold winters and hot summers, making it a reliable and long-lived perennial in most temperate climates.
Planting and Cultivation
- Location: For the most abundant flowering and robust growth, 'Garnet Globes' requires full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day). While it can tolerate part shade (4-6 hours direct sun), its performance will be reduced.
- Soil: This hardy Hibiscus needs moist, well-drained soil. It is adaptable to poor, average, or fertile soil quality, but the key is consistent moisture. It prefers acidic soil (pH < 7.0). Amending with organic matter can improve both water retention and drainage, creating an ideal environment. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
- Planting:
- Dig a generous hole that is at least twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
- Carefully remove the plant from its container, gently loosening any circling roots.
- Position 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.
- It is best to plant Hibiscus in the garden before the intense heat of summer arrives to allow for establishment.
- Watering: 'Garnet Globes' has average to consistent water needs. Keeping these plants well-watered, especially during hot summer months, will result in larger flowers and lush foliage. They tolerate moist conditions and are suitable for bog or 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 advised that hardy Hibiscus are always among the last perennials to emerge in spring. Do not be concerned if it seems slow to break dormancy; its vigorous growth rate quickly makes up for this late start.
- Pruning: In early spring, before new growth appears, cut back any remaining stems to about 4-6 inches from the ground. A strong pair of loppers or a saw may be necessary due to the robust stems.
- Deadheading: Deadheading spent flowers will improve the appearance of the plant and may encourage more late-season blooms, though it is naturally very floriferous.
- Winter Mulch: Heavily mulch the plant during its first winter, especially in colder zones (Zone 4), to provide extra insulation and help it establish.
- Pests and Diseases: While generally robust, Japanese beetles find hardy Hibiscus especially delicious. Monitor for their presence and take appropriate measures if infestations occur. Otherwise, these plants are relatively trouble-free.
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!
