Caring for double-flowering hibiscus trees

How do I properly care for a double-flowering hibiscus tree?

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**FULL QUESTION** Dear *Gardening Life*, I have inherited a double-flowering hibiscus tree. Plenty of buds form, but then they all fall off. The leaves also turn yellow and drop. What am I doing wrong? *—Bette Wasylenka*

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**FULL ANSWER** Some varieties of hibiscus, especially the doubles, are more prone to bud drop. According to the American Hibiscus Society, buds are very sensitive and will drop if the plant is under any kind of stress from too much or too little water or fertilizer, thrips, change in light conditions, disease or other factors. Leaves may turn yellow and drop for basically two reasons: First, the leaves are old and the plant is discarding them. Second, the plant is under some stress. Sometimes yellow leaves (from stress) are indicative of a problem and sometimes it simply indicates a temporary discomfort. Hibiscus prefer a slightly acid soil and do not like wet feet, so good drainage is crucial. An organic mulch on top of the soil will help keep it evenly moist. Feed in moderation with a balanced fertilizer and keep your plant in good bright light well away from any drafts. Hope that helps! *—Karen York, Botanical Editor* Other questions recently answered by the GL team: When to move irises Maintaining blue spruces The best way to grow gunneras Getting rid of sawfly larvae on roses Eliminating earwigs from clematis flowers Beetle damage to spruce trees Removing whiteflies from hibiscus leaves Building a cactus garden Maintaining redbud trees Maintaining Boston ivy growth Using black walnut leaves for mulch Stopping powdery mildew on maples Planting trees near a swale Growing on a septic field How to battle weeds between flagstone and alternative options Mysterious orange powder on the lawn What to do with end-of-season potatoes on the vine How to control Japanese knotweed What to grow in a dry area The proper way to plant astrantia What is the star flower and how do I manage it? How do I eliminate my ant problem? Preventing red beetles from attacking lilies Vine types to grow on a new pergola Maintaining purple fountain grass Keeping bougainvilllea healthy throughout the winer How to rid invasive green goutweed Good garden uses for fireplace ashes Growing grape hyacinth indoors The best way to convert a lawn into a meadow The proper way to grow rhododendrons Eliminating beetle damage to spruce trees Annual resembling Japanese maple Planting ivy near cedar trees In search of the 'Sundance Kid' sunflower Caring for canna bulbs A supplier for barren strawberry ground cover Winter care for roses Cutting back mauna loa The best time to harvest curly-leaf lettuce Eliminating invasive trumpet weed

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