Summerific® French Vanilla™ Rose Mallow

Summerific® French Vanilla™ is a mounded hardy hibiscus with upright, branching stems and large flowers. Creamy custard-yellow petals with a red eye can appear more yellow in cool conditions and pale toward white in heat. ## Size and season The [Walters Gardens profile](https://www.waltersgardens.com/variety.php?ID=HIBFV) gives a mature height of 3½–4 ft, a spread of 3–3½ ft, and USDA Zones 4–9. It lists full sun to part shade and bloom from midsummer into early fall. The [plant patent](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP33181P2/en) describes an upright-spreading mound with flowers along the stems. ## Growing conditions Plant in sun or light afternoon shade in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Hardy hibiscus emerges late in spring, then grows vigorously in warm weather; allow space for the compact but spreading crown. ## Maintenance Keep the root zone evenly moist and mulch in the first winter. In spring, cut away old stems before new growth makes its way through.