I've never met a hibiscus or any of it's relatives that I didn't like

I could just have only these in my garden and I would be happy.

I didn't know about those viruses though

Thanks Tee - for a wonderful and informative article with BEAUTIFUL photo's!

An informative article graced by a wonderful selection of photos, Tee.

Tropical hibiscuses are my current passion, but I've always grown Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) in all of my gardens because it's the national flower and national symbol of Korea, my birthplace. It's aso quite hardy and doesn't have to be carried inside for the winter.

Fabulous article, Sweet Tee! I too love hibiscus!

Thanks, Vic and Becky. They are really wonderful plants. Out West I grew the tropicals but here I'm focusing on the hardy varieties due to the climate, of course. Although I may have to have a few tropicals soon.

I'm glad to see other Hibiscus lovers out there. I'm particularly loving my 'Aphrodite', one of the new sterile varieites. They are so nice trained into a tree form as well, as are 'Helene' and 'MInerva'.

One day at WM I had picked up a new Hib and had it in my cart in some other section of the store when a lady spied it and said to me something to the effect of "I have hundreds of the Rose of Sharons all over my property. You are welcome to come dig all you want. I have all colors and all flower types." She then gave me her phone number. I couldn't believe it.

Yes, the viruses. Some are lethal and some aren't. But still ...

Thanks, zuzu. I did not realize that was Korea's national flower until I was writing this although I know they are wildly popular in that area of the world.

Here's a tropical I particularly love. I'm sure there's room for it in the house somewhere, don't you think?


'Cindy's Heart'

Cindy's Heart is amazing! I really need that one. I wouldn't mind carrying it in and out every day!

It's a national symbol as well. It's mentioned in the Korean national anthem and there are stylized images of the bloom on various official signs and letterheads. When we first came to this country, my mother always grew Lavatera because it was the closest thing she could find to a Rose of Sharon.

The flower forms, petal forms, and color combinations and patterns on those HIbs are amazing. When I was uploading pictures and there were multiples of the same flower, I never could decide on just one to post. Many of the flowers appear so different at different times of the year ... as well as on the second and third days. Even their faded colors can be amazing!

'Carrot Top'


'Candy Stripe'


'Bubble Gum Fun'


'Bright Horizon'


'City Slicker'

Well, what's a few more ...

'Deep Waters'


'Dark of Night'


'Desert Fire'

Gorgeous! More, please.

You two enablers don't have to ask twice.

'Crinkle in Time'


'Daddy's Angel'


'Creme de la Creme'




It occurs to me that we don't have a Hibiscus Forum yet ... hmmmmm ...

drool drool and more drool!!!.. that bright horizon is really neat

I really do need a greenhouse.

I have plenty of room for your overflow up here, Song

I said when I moved to this climate, "No more epiphyllums, no more tender succulents, no more tender hibiscuses". Well, I didn't fib intentionally.

I so badly want an Hibiscus. I am growing some Rose of Sharon from seed from a kind DG'r. According to the article the ROS is good to zone 5 while the hardy hibiscus is good to zone 4. So do you think I would be better off with a hardy rather than ROS. Course I will find out when I put the seedlings out. I think I might grow it in a pot for the first year or so, then put it out in the ground when it is more robust.

I have never started ROS from seed and would be interested in hearing how they do for you. Here ROS self-sow quite vigorously on their own. Or we take a stem cutting at the appropriate time and stick it right back in the ground or in a pot. That's a good idea to grow them in a pot for a year or so. Most zone listings are for known "safe" zones for plants. It wouldn't be unusual for some of them to do fine a half zone or even a full below what's listed, as I'm sure you know ... especially in microclimates around the yard.

The Fleming Hybrids are advertized to be hardy to zone 4. I have never had occasion to garden in that zone but that would indeed be "hardy".

I hope they thrive for you!

Wonderful article! When I see hibiscus, reminds me of home a long time ago, in Manila at my grandmother's place before they remodeled their yard. There used to be a tropical hibiscus growing there profusely, Hibiscus-rosa sinensis as you have mentioned. In our language, it is called gumamela. I remember admiring how the petals open wide with those stamens so prominent in the middle. I remember this plant being so easy to grow anywhere over there, and we just use ordinary containers, or if there is enough space, on the ground. A very beautiful summer scene..Ah..memories..warms the heart as always!

Thanks for the nice article Tee!

Thank you, tarev, for sharing some of your warm memories.

Gumamela ... lovely name. Are you growing any Hibs now? I have the hardy Hibs only right now and have resisted the tropicals for about as long as I can since being back here. I'm about to order some and grow them once again.

I really do need a greenhouse.

No, I do not have hibiscus here, I thought it will not be conducive since I remember, I have seen it thrive much better in sunny and humid areas. Reading your article, you have mentioned about the hardy ones...hmmm...maybe I will try, but will really think about it. I only plant in containers, and like you I have no greenhouse..something to think about! I like my plants to be drought tolerant and also must grow in shade.