Flower-of-an-hour - Hibiscus trionum (Taxonomy, Characteristics, Flower, Images, Control)

Flower-of-an-hour

Also known as: Bladder weed, Puarangi, Venice mallow

Flower-of-an-hour gets its unique name because its beautiful blossoms last for just a short time. The Hibiscus trionum is a tropical ornamental annual plant which has become naturalized in the United States. After blossoms fade, the plant produces an interesting balloon-shaped seed pod with brown stripes over a green pod.

Scientific classification

Species

Flower-of-an-hour (Hibiscus trionum)

Mallows, rock-roses, and allies

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Weeds

Weed or not

Annual, Perennial, Biennial

Lifespan

Herb

Plant Type

Late spring, Summer

Bloom Time

Summer, Fall

Harvest Time

25 cm to 70 cm

Plant Height

30 cm

Spread

Green, White, Yellow, Purple, Brown, Cream

Stem Color

Winter dormancy

Dormancy

Deciduous

Leaf type

20 - 38 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Images of Flower-of-an-hour

Distribution of Flower-of-an-hour

Distribution Map

Flower-of-an-hour is a plant which is native to an extensive region including Northern, Eastern, and Southern Africa, as well as Western, Central, Southern, and Southeastern Asia, with a presence in parts of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It is introduced to parts of North and South America, Europe, Australasia, and East Asia, where it has acclimatized beyond its indigenous range.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Introduced

No species reported

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Habitat

Cultivated ground, waste places

Hemisphere Trend Curve

Northern

Sorthern

Culture

Garden Use

Grown for its beautiful but short-lived, pollinator-attracting flowers, the flower-of-an-hour plant also attracts gardeners with its ready reseeding and general hardiness. This plant is suitable for pollinator gardens, mixed flowerbeds, and most sizes of container.

Symbolism

Meanings

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Weed Control

Flower-of-an-hour is a native south European annual introduced to the United States as an ornamental plant. It is an invasive species, listed as such in the states of Oregon and Washington, but it’s also legally cultivated by gardeners, which has aided its spread. The stems of flower-of-an-hour plants grow 61 cm in length. Its size is what makes the plant invasive. It will grow up fences, walls, and over native plants, eventually choking them out and even pulling fencing down. Problematically, flower-of-an-hour can also cause structural damage to buildings. It has a deep taproot that can be hard to completely remove.

How to Control It

The best season for the removal of flower-of-an-hour is in early spring or fall. The goal is to remove this weed before it matures and sets seed.

Hand-pulling: Identify the flower-of-an-hour weed and manually pull it from the ground. It's simpler when the soil is somewhat wet, like after a rain. Try to pull up as much root as possible to prevent regrowth.
Smother with newspaper: Lay sheets of newspaper over the area where the flower-of-an-hour grows. Overlap the sheets heavily and then cover them with an organic mulch layer. The newspaper will kill the weed by blocking sunlight and the mulch will break down, improving the soil.
Plant competitors: Grow plants that can compete with flower-of-an-hour. These plants should grow fast, be hardy, and prefer the same soil conditions. The competitor plants will crowd out the weed, reducing its ability to spread.
Vinegar Spray: Make a spray using a solution of 10% vinegar and 90% water. Spray directly onto the flower-of-an-hour plant on a hot, sunny day for the best results. Be careful as this solution can also harm desirable plants.
Soil Solarization: This method is best used in summer. Clear the area of all plant material, then water the ground thoroughly. Cover the ground with a clear plastic tarp and leave it for 4-6 weeks. The heat from the sun will kill the seeds and roots of the flower-of-an-hour plant.

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Care Guide for Flower-of-an-hour

Twice per week

Water

Full sun

Sunlight

20 - 38 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Garden Soil

Soil Type

Water: Flower-of-an-hour prefers warm, humid conditions and needs consistent moisture. Water twice a week to maintain optimal soil moisture. Grown outdoors in full sun, it requires more frequent watering during the active growing season to support vibrant flowering.

Fertilize: Adult flower-of-an-hour requires infrequent fertilization, while flowering flower-of-an-hour benefits from annual feeding in early spring with 60-70g/m2 of slow-release fertilizer. Potash is preferred over phosphate. Newly planted flower-of-an-hour may need weekly applications of quick-acting liquid fertilizer.

Pruning: Flower-of-an-hour typically requires minimal pruning, ideally in early spring. Retain 2-4 buds per branch and remove unhealthy wood. For shaping, alternate trunk heights and trim lower branches. Post-bloom fall pruning helps restore old branches, shortening each trunk to 30-46 cm (12-18 in) and applying slow-release fertilizer afterward.

Propagation: Flower-of-an-hour propagates best when sown in Spring, with average difficulty. Successful germination and young plant growth indicate effective propagation. Ensure appropriate moisture and temperature for optimal germination.

Repotting: Flower-of-an-hour requires excellent drainage when potted to thrive. Ensuring proper drainage helps prevent root rot and promotes healthy growth.

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Images of Flower-of-an-hour

Distribution of Flower-of-an-hour

Culture

Weed Control

Care Guide for Flower-of-an-hour

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