Channel the tropics with these beautiful hibiscus

In full sun they flower generously through all the warm months of the year, unfurling new flowers day after day. A great choice to plant around swimming pools to give off that holiday vibe.

To get the best from them, provide ample water and regular doses of rose or citrus fertiliser.

The flamboyant, brightly coloured flowers of Hawaiian hibiscus trigger memories of tropical island holidays – and possibly gaudy Hawaiian shirts – but Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is originally from southern China and Southeast Asia. Decades of breeding has produced thousands of varieties in a dazzling range of colours in all but blue hues. There are single and double-form flowers, soft pastel shades, shouty brights and bi-colours, all with lush green foliage. Also called tropical hibiscus, they unsurprisingly prefer warm climates and don’t like frosts. In full sun they flower generously through all the warm months of the year, unfurling new flowers day after day. To get the best from them, provide ample water and regular doses of rose or citrus fertiliser. Prune in late winter/early spring by about a third. They’re a good choice around swimming pools and outdoor areas for that holiday vibe. Newer varieties such as the Rio Clara and Flamenco series have been bred to be more compact plants with larger and longer-lasting flowers, ideal for large patio pots, smaller gardens beds or as a colourful low hedge.

Colour Burst

The Rio Clara range of tropical hibiscus offers compact, well-branched plants to 2m tall
and 1.5m wide …

‘Yellow Sunburst’

‘Strawberry Sundae’

… with extra large flowers.

‘Orange Sunburst’

‘Peach Melba’

Q&A

My dad gave me five prickly pear “ears” to grow. Will they get too crowded all in one pot? I’m worried they might grow into monsters if I plant some on my verge.

Berlinda Conti, Perth

All species of prickly pears (Opuntia), except Indian fig (O. ficus-indica), are declared Weeds of National Significance, meaning they cannot be traded and must be controlled. Indian fig is grown commercially and privately for its edible fruit. It has few or no spines and can grow 5m-7m tall – too big for your verge. If yours are legal ones, keep them in pots, planting one “ear” per pot.

What’s the best way to sprout an avocado seed? Is it likely to provide a prosperous, fruiting tree?

Luigi Molinari, Northern NSW

Use toothpicks to support a seed over a glass jar, with the seed’s broad end in water. Give it bright, indirect light and change the water every few days. After six weeks or so, roots then a shoot emerge. When large enough, pot up the plant. Pinch out the tips to encourage more shoots. However, seed-grown avocadoes can take up to 10 years to bear fruit of unknown quality on tall, rangy trees. Grafted, smaller trees of known varieties should fruit in three to four years. Avocadoes are partially self-fertile but pollination is complicated so you get better crops with both an “A” and a “B” type. “A” types have flowers with female parts in the morning and male parts in the afternoon; “B” types are the reverse.

Are fallen oak leaves good to keep around the base of my azaleas?

Sheila Hunter, Perth

Oak leaves are a valuable resource. They break down to make a rich, slightly acidic leaf mulch that is great for azaleas. Ideally shred them with the lawnmower and compost with some lawn clippings to balance carbon with nitrogen. You can spread whole fallen leaves directly on soil in a thin layer; shredding them helps prevent an impenetrable barrier and speeds decomposition.

Send your questions to: [e-mail]. The best question for November wins their choice of nature-inspired linen cushion covers or pillowcases from Western Australian artist Barbara O’Donovan to the value of $150 plus postage. barbaraodonovandesign.au

Cushion Cover from Barbara O'Donovan Designs.