(Striped Heurnia)

This genus of carrion flowers contains about 60 to 70 species of tender succulent plants. They are primarily native to the deserts of Africa, more specifically to South Africa, Ethiopia and the Arabian peninsula. They tend to prefer very fast draining low fertility soils in somewhat protected locations of rocky hillsides which rarely retain much moisture but boulders offer protection from direct afternoon exposure.

All carrion flowers share the look and smell of a kill to draw flies, their...

(Cutleaf Hibbertia)

Shiny, narrowly oval evergreen leaves line the gray branches of cutleaf hibbertia. It bears showy yellow flowers in springtime, sometimes for an encore in autumn. An evergreen, upright, somewhat wispy shrub that is tolerant of wind, it is native to the coastal sands and moist loams of coastal southwestern Western Australia.

The small, elongated oval green leaves are glossy and often have teeth at the tips like a holly leaf. In springtime the upright, sometimes spreading branches are lined with...

(Crown Jewels Hibiscus, Hybrid Hardy Hibiscus)

Compact, small and extremely hardy, 'Crown Jewels' is an excellent hibiscus that is the result of extensive hybridization. This semi-woody perennial has purple-violet, deeply three-lobed leaves similar in shape to those of a maple tree. This is a long-blooming plant that flowers from midsummer to frost, longer if in a subtropical garden. The exceptional flowers are white and medium-sized. The center of each bloom is red and the red veins invade the thick, ruffled white petals, giving the visual illusion...

(Hybrid Hardy Hibiscus)

Hibiscus is a large genus consisting of more than 200 species of herbaceous plants, trees, and shrubs, both evergreen and deciduous. Most are native to the warm areas of the world, including the tropics, subtropics and warm-temperate regions. Chinese hibiscus is arguably the most widely planted and beloved of all tropical flowering shrubs.

Usually woody and variable in form, Hibiscus have simple leaves that are arranged alternately on the stem. They are often lobed with toothed...

(Fireball Hibiscus, Hybrid Hardy Hibiscus)

Hardy and bushy, 'Fireball' is an excellent hibiscus that is the result of extensive hybridization. This upright, semi-woody perennial has deeply lobed green leaves, similar in shape to maple leaves, with purple overtones. This is a long-blooming plant that flowers from midsummer to frost. The exceptional flowers are rich red and plate-sized. Individual flowers last only one day, though several dozen can be on one plant at a time.

This hardy hibiscus needs full to partial sun and rich to...

(Candide™ Hibiscus, Hybrid Hardy Hibiscus)

The Candide™ hardy hibiscus is an audacious plant that is the result of extensive hybridization. This semi-woody perennial has mid- to dark green toothed leaves. It's a long-blooming plant that flowers from midsummer to frost, longer if in a subtropical garden. The exceptional flowers are often as large as a volleyball, each with five pale blue-lavender petals. Petal bases blush deep red. Individual flowers last one to two days, and several dozen may open on one plant at a time. Frost ends flowering...

(Hybrid Hardy Hibiscus, Kopper King Hibiscus)

What a beautiful hardy hibiscus! Kopper King is a semi-woody perennial with an upright, shrubby habit. It has deeply lobed, copper-colored leaves that are almost maple-like in appearance. These contrast nicely with its large, disc-shaped flowers of pale pink with striking red centers and venation. Plants bloom with regularity from summer to fall.

Kopper King hibiscus are late to emerge in the spring but thrives in the heat of the summer. It grows best in sites with full sun, and most soil types,...

(Hybrid Rosemallow, Lady Baltimore Crimsoneyed Rosemallow)

Lady Baltimore rosemallow is a wonderful hardy hibiscus for large summer gardens. This semi-woody selection has an upright, shrubby habit. Its leaves are large, dark green and deeply lobed. From summer to fall it produces large, open, conical flowers of bright pink with red centers.

Rosemallow is late to emerge in the spring but thrives in the heat of the summer. It grows best in sites with full sun, and most soil types, even poorly drained soils. Japanese beetles favor its leaves, so plants...

(Hybrid Rosemallow, Lord Baltimore Crimsoneyed Rosemallow)

Lord Baltimore rosemallow is a wonderful hardy hibiscus for large summer gardens. This semi-woody selection has a very tall, upright, shrubby habit. Its leaves are large, rich green and deeply lobed. From summer to fall it produces large, open, conical flowers of bright red.

Rosemallow is late to emerge in the spring but thrives in the heat of the summer. It grows best in sites with full sun, and most soil types, even poorly drained soils. Japanese beetles favor its leaves, so plants must be...

(Hybrid Hardy Hibiscus, Moy Grande Hibiscus)

Big and bright, sporting perhaps the largest red flowers of all the hardy hibiscuses, 'Moy Grande' is an audacious plant that is the result of extensive hybridization. This semi-woody perennial has mid- to dark green toothed leaves. This is a long-blooming plant that flowers from midsummer to frost, longer if in a subtropical garden. The exceptional flowers are often as large as a volleyball, each with five petals a vibrant red to violet-red. Individual flowers last one to two days, and several dozen...