- 1). Plant the hardy hibiscus as soon as it becomes available at the nursery, in the spring. You will want the plant to become well-established prior to the onset of the Wisconsin winter.
- 2). Dig up the top 12 inches of the planting area. Break up the soil with a gardening fork so that no large clumps remain. Hardy hibiscus thrives in loose, well-drained soil.
- 3). Pour a 4-inch layer of compost onto the soil and use the gardening fork to mix it into the top 8 inches of soil. Level the planting bed with a rake.
- 4). Dig the planting hole so that the hardy hibiscus sits at the same level it did in the pot. The hole should be twice the width of the planting pot.
- 5). Remove the hardy hibiscus from the pot. If it's stuck, turn the pot on its side and gently roll it from side-to-side, pressing on the sides. This should loosen any roots that have become attached to the pot.
- 6). Place the roots of the hardy hibiscus into the hole and fill the hole with soil. Press lightly on the soil at the base of the plant to remove any trapped air pockets.
- 7). Lay a 3-inch layer of mulch on the soil and spread it completely around the hardy hibiscus. Keep it 2 inches away from the plant and spread it out beyond the dripline, or the widest part of the plant. Mulch will help protect the new hardy hibiscus roots from drying out during any windy, dry Wisconsin days.
- 8). Water the hardy hibiscus unless rain is expected in your area of Wisconsin. The hardy hibiscus should have moist soil until established.