Felder Rushing
Family
Malvaceae
Botanical Name
HIBISCUS rosa-sinensis
Plant Common Name
Chinese Hibiscus, Queen-of-the-tropics., Tropical Hibiscus
General Description
Tropical hibiscus has spectacular flowers that give credence to its title of "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 very large, disc-shaped flowers. In the center of each bold bloom is a bottlebrush of yellow anthers and topped with five-parted, spider-like stigmas, which add an additional flourish of floral drama. There are hundreds of cultivated varieties that may be single or double and come in all colors, but no shades of true blue. Bicolored or multicolored flowers are common. The fruit is a brown capsule.
Tropical hibiscus is heat tolerant and prefers full sun and mildly acid to neutral, well-drained soil. It blooms in new wood, but annual pruning is best done in early spring to allow the shrub to rejuvenate early in the season. Pest and diseases 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 be grown in mixed borders or along foundations.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
5'-15' / 1.5m - 4.6m
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Width
3'-10' / 0.9m - 3.0m
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
China
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Yellow, Red, Green, Purple, Orange, Bronze, Brown
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Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
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Fruit Color
Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Dark Green
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Hummingbirds, Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
No