Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Tropical Hibiscus, Chinese Hibiscus)
Hibiscus is a very popular shrub in our region with a glossy dark green leaves and vibrantly colored showy flowers, produced throughout the year making up for the fact that each flower will last only one or two days. Cultivars are available with single or double flowers in shades of white, pink, red, yellow, peach, or orange, or combinations of these. Growing best in full sun to dappled shade, Hibiscus appreciates abundant watering and fertilization when newly planted, but requires little care once established. They can be trained into hedges, but better to train into a less formal hedge with a hand pruner. Since plants flower on new growth, pinching the tips of developing branches in spring and mid-summer will increase flower production. Hibiscus is occasionally trained into a small tree with multiple trunks and will grow to about 2.5 m tall. Although usually strong and easy to grow, Hibiscus can be bothered by aphids which accumulate at the tips of stems, causing new growth to be misshapen. Aphids may cover the leaves with sticky honeydew.
- Landscape Information
- Botanical Description
- Horticulture Management
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French Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Pronunciation: hye-BISS-kus roe-zuh-sye-NEN-sis
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Plant type: Shrub
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Origin: China, Japan
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Heat Zones: 1 to 16
Hardiness Zones: 10 to 13
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Uses: Screen, Hedge, Specimen, Mass Planting, Container, Wildlife
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Size/Shape
Growth Rate: Fast
Tree Shape: Vase
Canopy Symmetry: Symmetrical
Canopy Density: Medium
Canopy Texture: Medium
Height at Maturity: 3 to 5 m
Spread at Maturity: 1.5 to 3 meters
Time to Ultimate Height: 10 to 20 Years
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Foliage
Leaf Arrangement : Alternate
Leaf Venation: Palmate
Leaf Persistance: Evergreen
Leaf Type: Simple
Leaf Blade: 5 - 10 cm
Leaf Shape: Ovate
Leaf Margins: Serrate
Leaf Texture: Leathery, Glossy, Coarse
Leaf Scent: No Fragance
Color(growing season): Green
Color(changing season): Green
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Flower
Flower Size Range: 7 - 10
Flower Type: Solitary
Flower Sexuality: Monoecious (Bisexual)
Flower Scent: No Fragance
Flower Color: Yellow, Orange, Red, Purple, White, Pink
Seasons: Year Round
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Trunk
Trunk Susceptibility to Breakage: Generally resists breakage
Number of Trunks: Can be trained to one trunk
Trunk esthetic Values: Not Showy
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Fruit
Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Size Range: 0 - 1.5
Fruit Color: Brown
Seasons: Year Round
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Tolerance
Frost Tolerant: Yes
Heat Tolerance: Yes
Salt Tolerance: Poor
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Requirements
Soil Requirements: Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph Requirements: Neutral
Water Requirements: Moderate, Low
Light Requirements: Part
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Management
Toxicity: No
Susceptibility to Pests and Diseases: Yes
Pruning Requirements: Needed, to develop a strong structure
Fruit/ Leaves/ Flowers litter: No
Life Span: 25-50 years
Edible Parts: None
Pests: Mites, Aphids
Plant Propagation: Cutting