Hibiscus 'Cherry Brandy' is a compact bushy hibiscus known for its deep wine red blooms with a velvety texture and slightly ruffled edges. The large tropical looking flowers make a bold statement in sunny garden beds or containers. It blooms continuously through summer, attracting attention with both color and scale, while its upright growth habit makes it suitable for focal planting or massed displays.
Height & Spread: 30 - 36 in x 30 - 36 in
Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Moist, fertile, well drained soil
Watering Needs: High; thrives with regular watering
Deer Resistance: Occasionally browsed but usually left alone due to coarse foliage
Native Status
Derived from cultivars of North American native Hibiscus moscheutos and Hibiscus coccineus, 'Cherry Brandy' is a hybrid selection bred for garden performance and ornamental impact.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Visited by large nectar feeding butterflies such as Monarchs and Eastern Tiger Swallowtails during bloom peaks.
Bees
- Pollinated by large native bees including bumblebees and carpenter bees that are drawn to its broad open blooms.
Hummingbirds
- Attracted by the deep throated red flowers which provide ample nectar during late summer migration periods.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Allow 30 - 36 in spacing to accommodate mature growth and airflow between plants.
Landscape Placement:
- Ideal as a summer focal point in mixed borders, rain gardens, or as a backdrop in pollinator plantings. Performs well in large containers or grouped in rows.
Companion Plants
- Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' - Red tinged foliage and upright form echo the color and structure of 'Cherry Brandy'.
- Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline' - Bold red flowers and mildew resistant foliage make a vibrant, pollinator rich combination.
- Eutrochium purpureum (Joe Pye Weed) - Soft mauve plumes add height and balance to hibiscus’s wide blooms in late summer.
- Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' - Golden daisies provide vivid contrast to the deep red hibiscus flowers.
- Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue' - Spiky deep blue flowers create visual tension and complement warm tones.