Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Summer in Paradise Hardy Hibiscus: Cerise Blooms Top to Bottom
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Summer in Paradise hardy hibiscus has a refined, full form and a generous flower show. Deep red buds open to hot cerise red flowers 7 to 8 inches across with a dark red eye, and they come from the top of the plant to the bottom rather than only at the tips.
Large, maple-like leaves in medium green with olive green edges fill in quickly, so the plant looks lush even before it blooms. At 3 to 3 1/2 feet tall, it can stand in for a shrub.
Summer in Paradise at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hibiscus 'Summer in Paradise' |
| Flowers | Hot cerise red with a dark red eye, 7 to 8 inches |
| Foliage | Large, maple-like, medium green with olive green edges |
| Size | 36 to 42 inches tall, 42 to 48 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts mid-July, peaks mid-August, into early fall |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun for the most flowers; part shade tolerated |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators and hummingbirds |
The relay from lavender to hibiscus
In most West Michigan gardens, lavender's big show is early to midsummer. Summer in Paradise picks up the baton in mid-July and runs into early fall, so a garden with both has sunny-side color from June to September.
They just should not share a bed. Hardy hibiscus needs consistent moisture and should never dry out for long, while lavender's roots rot if they stay wet. Plant Summer in Paradise in a low spot, a rain garden or the back of a border you water regularly, close enough to see from the lavender bed but with its own soil. The Companion Plant Planner makes it easy to place the two beds.
Care through the year
- Late spring: it is very late to emerge, often not until late May or June. Leave the spot marked and resist digging.
- Summer: water consistently. Poor to fertile soil is fine if it stays moist.
- Bloom: flowers open along the full stem length, so no special pinching is needed.
- Pests: Japanese beetles, aphids and sawfly larvae are the common problems. Leaf spots, rust and Botrytis may show in wet seasons.
- Late fall or early spring: fully hardy in Michigan. Cut the woody stems back to a few inches.
Using it in the landscape
Its full, rounded form makes it a good specimen plant or a seasonal hedge along a moist edge. In a pollinator garden, the big saucers are easy landing pads, and hummingbirds visit too. The flowers do not hold up in a vase, so plan to enjoy them where they grow.
Plug trays or bare root
Summer in Paradise is offered as a 72-cell plug tray and as a bare root plant. See each product page for current availability, or the Wholesale Hub for tray and bare root orders.
Frequently asked questions
Is it really hardy in Michigan?
Yes. It is rated for zones 4 to 9 and is fully hardy in Michigan. It dies to the ground in winter and returns late each spring.
How much room does it need?
Plan for 42 to 48 inches across at maturity, and keep it several feet from your lavender so neither plant gets the other's watering.
Do deer eat it?
It is moderately deer resistant, though hungry deer can still browse it.
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