Kitaibela vitifolia

RHS Plant Profile

Russian hibiscus

Herbaceous Perennial

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A large, bushy, herbaceous perennial to 2.5m with hairy stems and large, sycamore-like leaves. The saucer-shaped flowers are white or pale pink, 5cm across, and appear from mid-summer to early autumn

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Malvaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Kitaibela are tall, bushy perennials with large, long-stalked, lobed leaves and saucer-shaped white or pale pink flowers
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Balkans

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in sun or shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down to ground in late autumn

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free