Alyogyne huegelii
Blue Hibiscus
Description
This round shrub will grow about 10' tall and wide and has medium-sized green leaves with lavender blue flowers that bloom all year.
Maintenance Tips
Alyogyne huegelii is a large, free-form shrub with large, dramatic purple flowers that resemble hibiscus. Also known as Blue Hibiscus, this shrub prefers full sun and well-drained soil. To keep this plant looking and performing its best with very little maintenance, make sure to plant it in a sunny location and give it 8-10' of space to reach its full maturity. It is a woody shrub so as it grows and the canopy becomes dense, the interior branches will no longer see sunlight and will no longer grow leaves. To keep the shrub free-form and blooming throughout, it is best to use the thinning method of pruning and make some of the cuts back to the main trunk to allow the sun to reach the interior of the plant. Shearing the plant is never a good idea because all of the blooming potential is at the tips of the branches. Shearing will take off all of the blooms and will cause the plant to send out excessive growth and the natural shape of the plant will be forever lost. This plant is susceptible to aphids and other soft-bodied insects. Instead of using pesticides to control these pests, it would be better to use a hard jet of water or even bring in ladybugs to treat the infestation. That will ensure that the beneficial insects and birds can continue to enjoy the flowers.
Plant Type
Shrub
Height Range
3-6', 6-12'
Flower Color
Blue, Lavender
Flower Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, Intermittent
Leaf Color
Green
Bark Color
n/a
Fruit Color
n/a
Fruit Season
n/a
Sun
Full, Half
Water
Very Low, Low, Extra in Summer
Growth Rate
Moderate
Soil Type
Sandy, Loam
Soil Condition
Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry
Soil pH
Neutral
Adverse Factors
n/a
Design Styles
Mediterranean, Ranch, Tropical, Wild Garden
Accenting Features
Showy Flowers, Specimen
Seasonal Interest
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Location Uses
Background, Foundation, Park, Parking Lot, Raised Planter, Walls / Fences
Special Uses
Erosion Control, Filler, Hedge, Screen, Mass Planting
Attracts Wildlife
n/a
Group plants with similar watering needs in the same area.