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HIBISCUS rosa-sinensis 'Cherie'

Image of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Cherie'

Carol Cloud Bailey

Family

Malvaceae

Botanical Name

HIBISCUS rosa-sinensis 'Cherie'

Plant Common Name

Cherie Tropical Hibiscus, Queen-of-the-tropics., Tropical Hibiscus

General Description

The tropical hibiscus 'Cherie' offers sherbet orange flowers with deep rosy pink centers. Each ruffled golden orange petal transitions to rosy pink and then red towards the base. This medium sized tropical hibiscus is vigorous and blooms over an extended period of time. Its hybrid origin is unknown.

Tropical hibiscus has spectacular flowers which give credence one of its common names, queen-of-the-tropics. This tender evergreen shrub to small tree originates from southern China, though it is now believed to be extinct in the wild. The parent plants were red flowered, large and shrubby.

Everblooming and vigorous, tropical hibiscus has glossy green leaves and produces large, disc-shaped flowers. In the center of each bold bloom is a bottlebrush of yellow anthers topped with a five-parted, spider-like stigma. The fruit is a capsule. Remove the spent flowers and the developing seed capsules to promote production of new blossoms.

Tropical hibiscus is heat tolerant and prefers full sun and mildly acid to neutral, well-drained soil. Very poor and alkaline soils lead to nutrient deficiencies which cause leaf yellowing. It blooms in new wood. Annual pruning is best done in early spring to allow the shrub to rejuvenate early in the season. Pest and disease problems are minimal. This is a garden staple in both tropical and temperate landscapes. The vibrant shrub makes a wonderful container specimen where not hardy. In frost free zones it can also be grown in landscape and foundation plantings.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    10 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    5'-7' / 1.5m - 2.1m

  • Width

    4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin, China

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Red, Orange, Pink, Peach, Dark Red

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Multi-Color

  • Fruit Color

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Sandy Brown, Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    No