Can anyone name this flowering shrub?

I came across this when walking the dog and wondered if anyone knows what it could be. It's about 1.5 metres tall and covered in these lovely blooms. I am particularly interested because it's unusual to come across a shrub that flowers so beautifully at this time of year. All suggestions are most welcome

Re: Can anyone name this flowering shrub?

It looks very much like my Hibiscus, Annie.

Re: Can anyone name this flowering shrub?

wow Mags! That is a perfect match! Except yours is bloomingly lovelier

Is there a reason that we don't see many of these around? First time I've seen this particular plant and I'm sure I've walked past that house at this time of year before. It looks mature so I'm surprised I didn't notice it.

Re: Can anyone name this flowering shrub?

I'm not sure Annie, come to think of it I haven't seen any in the gardens in my area. Mine is over 10 years old now, I cut it back last year as it was getting too tall. It started flowering in July and there are still masses of buds to open throughout September.

Re: Can anyone name this flowering shrub?

That's a pretty Hibiscus you've got there, Mags.
A garden in the next road to me has got a big blue one, but I do like yours.

Re: Can anyone name this flowering shrub?

Thank Mups, I think this one is called Starburst Chiffon. I bet the blue one near you looks lovely.

Re: Can anyone name this flowering shrub?

Got a couple of those in our caravan garden sadly not doing too well, they seem to prefer a heavier soil as they do really well here on clay but aren't enjoying our chalky sandy lighter soil where we are trying to grow them.

Re: Can anyone name this flowering shrub?

Hi Julie, funny you should say that about your Hibiscus, as I have just been reading a letter sent up to my gardening mag. about this - (not you, was it?

The reader asked why her 2 Hibiscus had never flowered, even though they'd been in the ground for about 5 years.

The Experts reply was as follows:

"Failure to flower is quite common with woody plants, it is is often easy to remedy once the cause is known.

How is the leafy growth on them?
Poor leaf growth suggests the plant is growing in the wrong place with the wrong conditions. Moving it will be the best solution.

However, lush leafy growth can be caused by over feeding with high-nitrogen fertilisers, and will be at the expense of the flowers.
If this is the case, you could try6 to redress the balance with a late summer feed of sulphate of potash to help this year's wood to mature and encourage the production of flowers.
Next spring, feed just once with a slow-release general purpose fertiliser.

Another problem could be the light levels. Hibiscus does best in full sun and a sheltered position.
Plants that need full sun rarely flower to their full potential in shade or even partial shade.

Hibiscus needs a long, hot summer to flower well. In cool summers, or on North and East-facing sites, they may struggle to flower."


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So there you go. Perhaps that's some help, Julie?