Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank the following:
The American Hibiscus Society, Florida, U.S.A. for their permission
to use articles and portions of articles from their publications, and for
help and cooperation from information.
The Australian Hibiscus Society for their permission to use
information from their publications, and the members of the Society all
too numerous to mention who have knowingly or unknowingly contributed to
this publication.
Tom Mead of the N.S.W. Department of Agriculture for help and
assistance over the years.
The late and great Ross Gast for information relative to the
history of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.
Mr David Hockings, Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane,
Queensland for article contribution and technical advice.
Steven Bray for his fine photographic efforts.
Shirley Howie for her line drawings and patience. Nancy Beers for
her support and patience.
Raymond J. Rowell who taught Les that to observe is to learn.
The various people who have helped in any way.
Les
Beers and Jim HowieProfiles of the Authors
(in 1985)
Les Beers is a nurseryman from New South Wales and Jim Howie is a
nurseryman from Queensland. Together they have over fifty years experience
in growing hibiscus and have combined to produce this publication to give
readers a better understanding of these beautiful plants. They have tried
to present in easily understood language a comprehensive guide to growing
hibiscus successfully, for the growing of these plants need not be a
difficult, laborious, time consuming or expensive hobby. Their beauty may
be enjoyed by those with limited space and time as well as by those
cultivating many varieties. The easy to follow guidelines in this book
enable one to create new hibiscus from seeds, and to propagate plants from
cuttings or grafts, and should be the means of sustaining a lasting and
satisfying interest in hibiscus.
While the following information on hibiscus has been collected over
many years, we learn as we grow these beautiful plants and new techniques
are being introduced all the time. By joining either the American or
Australian Hibiscus Society one can keep abreast of any new developments.
The successful growing and flowering of hibiscus spurs the grower on to
better and more difficult varieties, but whether you are a novice or
experienced grower, we trust this publication will help in Growing
Hibiscus.
Conclusion
To completely cover the full range of hibiscus species and varieties would
be a monumental task, however we do hope we have improved your knowledge
of the most popular species under cultivation. Like any plant grown by
nurserymen, hibiscus provide a challenge, and we are constantly learning
new and better techniques in order to get the best from these wonderful
plants. The knowledge shared by members of the hibiscus societies has
resulted in a host of new, spectacular varieties each requiring different
treatment. Nurserymen are kept busy trying them out, always looking for
the new, better variety that is more resistant to pests and diseases, and
easier to grow. The new varieties, many of them raised by amateur
gardeners, have given the nurserymen a huge range to offer to the public.
With all these varieties being produced, what of the old ones?
An old gardener once said `It is not what you grow, but how you grow
it!' and how true this is when you see some of the old hibiscus well cared
for and rewarding their owners with masses of lovely blooms. A little
tender loving care is all that's needed to transform old, neglected plants
into blooming marvels, and with proper care there is no other plant as
rewarding as hibiscus, whatever the variety! With their wonderful colour
range and diverse growth habits hibiscus have truly earned their rightful
place in any garden, and although they like to be grown on their own, they
will coexist with other plants, giving life to the garden during summer
and autumn.
Hopefully the information contained in this book will lead to a better
understanding of hibiscus, and a renewed interest in these plants. One
must realise however that whilst the information gathered by the authors
has led to bigger and better hibiscus for them, conditions do vary from
place to place, and some slight variations in culture may be necessary to
obtain the best results in your area.
Note to Second Edition: One hundred new
varieties of Hibiscus rosa sinensas have been added to the list at the
back of the book, and a new up to date section on pesticides and
fungicides has also been added.
Cover: H. rosa sinensis `Cele Niffenegger', p.67
C Les Beers & Jim Howie 1985 and 1990
Reprinted 1986, 1987
Second edition published 1990
First published in 1985 by Kangaroo Press Pty Ltd
3 Whitehall Road (P. 0. Box 75) Kenthurst 2156
Typeset by G. T Setters Pty Limited
Printed in Hong Kong by Colorcraft Ltd
ISBN 0 86417 278 8
Contents
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