One of many lovely hybrid Chinese hibiscus varieties

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The Hibiscus is one of the more popular tropical or tropical-looking garden plants because of its colorful, showy flowers. There are many species of Hibiscus but the two most sought-after garden plants are the Hibiscus syriacus (the garden hibiscus, Rose of Sharon or Rose of Althea) and Hibiscus rosa sinensis (the Chinese hibiscus). These garden plants are part of the Mallow family that includes such familiar members as okra, cotton and the hollyhock. One more Hibiscus, Hibiscus sabdariffa is used for food, jams and as an herbal tea in parts of the Caribbean.

The Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon, Rose of Althea) is a species that can grow in cooler temperatures. It blooms prolifically in reds, whites, pinks and purples sometimes with blended colors. The flowers are edible and decorate shrubs or small trees that usually grow six to ten feet tall. It thrives in much of the eastern part of the United States – so much that it is becoming invasive in the state of Connecticut – and can be grown successfully in most gardens across the country. The Rose of Sharon will tolerate full sun or part shade and soil that ranges from slightly dry to a bit on the moist side.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Chinese hibiscus) is a tropical plant that is not frost tolerant. The original species is red-flowered and is the national flower of Malaysia. This species is native of the Pacific Islands and Asia and has been cross-bred with the local species that has become the state flower of Hawaii; Hibiscus brackenridgei. The resulting hybrids offer a vast array of plants that produce flowers from a couple of inches to almost a foot in diameter and shrubs that grow from two feet to fifteen feet tall. Hybrid Chinese hibiscus are available with remarkable self (one-color) and blended colors in both single and double forms. (These are also edible flowers.)

Give these plants full sun for four to six hours a day and feed them lightly and frequently with a low phosphate fertilizer. Regularly inspect the plants for sucking insects like whitefly, aphids, and mealybug. Prune plants for shape when young.

If you live in a cool climate grow your Hibiscus in a large pot. Bring it outdoors to enjoy the warm months of the year. Whether they grow in the ground or in a container, you will encourage more blossoms if you keep spent flowers removed. Each flower lasts only a day.

Originally posted 2011-08-02 09:56:08. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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