The Obsessive Neurotic Gardener

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Living here in the Northeastern U.S., I admittedly am not all that familiar with “tropical plants”. We can grow them as annuals here, but it can be real difficult to incorporate them naturally into the landscape. I’ve attempted to grow them as specimens and focal points in the past, but with little success. That is, until I came across Hibiscus ‘Kopper King’:        
Now I’m stretching the truth when I call KK a tropical plant; it is actually a hardy perennial (zones 4-9) here in New Jersey. As is usually the case with moi, I was immediately drawn to the foliage of this plant when I spotted it at the nursery a few years ago:    

I’m a sucker for that copper red leaf color and was intrigued by the shape of the maple-like leaves. While it isn’t a true tropical, it has the look and feel of one and seems to incorporate well into the more northern landscape:

OK, fine, I do need to talk about the flowers. They are damn impressive and friggin huge! They can get as big as 12″ in diameter and while they last only one day, they appear so rapidly that you do not realize how quickly each individual one is gone. KK blooms from late July all the way into September so it is a bloom filled extravaganza all summer.    
What I also find interesting is that some times the blooms will appear light pink with a red eye: 
And other times, the flowers will be nearly white in color with a red eye:
I have found it is important to deadhead regularly to keep the plant looking it’s best. I also make sure it is watered regularly throughout the summer. 
One warning, after cutting KK down in late winter, it can be slow to emerge in the spring so do not panic when it appears to have been lost:   

While it may emerge late in spring, it more than makes up for the late start by growing rapidly throughout the late spring/summer. The photo below was taken only about 2-3 weeks after the one above:

Hibiscus ‘Kopper King’ reaches a height of about 3 feet and a width of about 2 feet. She prefers full sun and I’ve found her to be quite sturdy without the need to stake at all.  

One other bonus is the fall color she is putting on now:

So what do you think? Are you growing it and have additional pointers? Would you give it a try?

Have a great weekend!

John

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12 Responses

  5. Thanks for introducing me to this plant. I love hibiscus flowers–like–MADLY. I, too, am a fan of burgundy foliage. The KK is painfully gorgeous! (You’ve got great taste in plants by the way!). During my garden center stroll this weekend, I’ll ask about this plant. Perhaps I can grow it next season.

    Alaiyo

  7. I have one and love it. I just read it was a cross between the H. coccinea and H. moscheutos. I think it is great…so did the voles earlier this summer.
    My daughter got that job as a middle school special ed teacher and loves it. Loves the area as well. Thanks for asking.

  8. I just discovered these
    hardy beauties in the last
    two summer seasons. My
    hibiscus blooms get as big
    as dinner plates! I can’t bear
    to cut them and bring them
    in because it gives me such
    joy to see them nodding their
    gorgeous heads in my gardens.
    Your colors are wonderful!
    xx Suzanne

  10. Well I have to say Hibiscus ‘Kopper King’ looks fantastic,but I have to say, he sure is tropical for this Scottish gardener, terrific pictures. Alistair

  12. Love your blog – just discovered it when I googled “kopper king.” I planted two this year in large pots and I love them!
    Any tips on when I should transplant? I put them in pots because I have really bad luck with anything in the ground. But I definitely want this beauty to come back.

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