Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Have you noticed the huge hibiscus blooms this summer? Hibiscus has magnificent flowers that make quite an impressive display each summer.
There are many different types of hibiscus. The rose-of –Sharon (Hybiscus syriacus) is a popular shrub hibiscus. Herbaceous perennial hibiscuses are available in tropical and hardy forms.
Tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), with its glossy lobed leaves and brightly colored flowers, does not overwinter here. My sons gave me a tropical hibiscus tree for mother's day this year. It looks like a pom-pom of bright orange blooms on top of a three foot braided trunk. It has done well for me, if I remember to water it every day! I hope to overwinter it as a houseplant.
Fortunately there are many wonderful options of hardy hibiscus available for us to use in central Illinois. In fact, hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) is native to Illinois.
Hibiscus, also called Rose Mallow or Wild Cotton, is a fast, strong-growing perennial. It usually grows to 5 feet tall, but in proper conditions can reach 8 feet in height. The plant grows about 3 feet wide, but does spread into larger patches with years of growth.
The flowers are this plant's claim to fame. The large, showy, funnel-form flowers are 5 to 9 inches across. Flowers appear singularly on long stems that come from the leaves. Flowers appear from mid-July to frost but are heaviest in August and September.
This is a very easy plant to grow. I have several patches of red and white flowering plants that I inherited from the previous homeowner. They grow well for me in my dry, sandy soil. In fact, this plant seems to love heat and full sun in spite of the fact that its native habitat is wetland areas such as swamps and marshes. Consequently, its best performance will occur in wetter areas, but it is very tolerant of drier soil. It also does best in full sun but tolerates light shade.
Plants can be started with seeds, plants, or division. Once the plant is established, it can be left undisturbed for an indefinite period, because the plants do not spread underground. They do self-sow seeds though and can spread that way. Divide in the spring. The only other care these plants need is to cut back old flowering stems in fall or spring.
For something new, try one of the many wonderful hardy hibiscus hybrids now available. Many of these are the result of long breeding programs combining several native species. Proven Winners has a new hibiscus called Summerific 'Cherry Cheesecake' that has striking 8 inch white flowers with cherry-red eyes and magenta veining. My Summerific hibiscus blends nicely with my other tropical plants around the pool, where it stands between a bird-of-paradise and three different elephant ear plants.
Some of the biggest flowers come from the old standby Southern Belle Mix hybrids. This 4-feet tall plant has 10 ½" flowers in red, pink, and white. Also stunning is the "Turn of the Century" Hibiscus with 8- to 10-inch blooms. It has unusual, bicolored flowers with pale pink on one side, deepening to red toward the other, suggesting a spinning pinwheel.
For more information on this and other perennials, go to University of Illinois Extension's website "Gardening with Perennials" at http://urbanext.illinois.edu/perennials.
MEET THE AUTHOR
As horticulture educator, Rhonda Ferree inspired citizens in local communities to grow their own food and improve their home landscapes. She focused on high quality, impactful programs that taught homeowners how to create energy-efficient landscapes using sustainable practices that increase property values and help the environment.
After 30 years with University of Illinois Extension, Rhonda retired in 2018. She continues to share her passion for horticulture related topics as “Retro Rhonda” on social media.
ABOUT THE BLOG
ILRiverHort is a blog that helps people connect to nature and grow.
FAQs
Growing in zone 4 (think Minnesota, Wisconsin and the like) to zone 9 (tropical climates like Florida), rose mallow bears some of the largest flowers of any perennials. You may have heard them called “dinner plate Hibiscus”, a name coined for its huge 7-9 inch wide, circular blooms.
What lesson do we learn from the hibiscus flower? ›
1️⃣ Beauty in Simplicity: Just like this hibiscus, we can find beauty in the simplest things around us. Often, we're so caught up in our busy lives that we overlook the wonders of the world. Take a moment to appreciate the small things. 2️⃣ Resilience: Hibiscus blooms even in adverse conditions.
What is unique about the hibiscus flower? ›
The deep blood-red flowers with darker black-red eyes are irrepressibly seductive, while the whopping 9-inch flowers only heighten the allure. The oval-shaped leaves and stems are green at all times—it's like there was no more color to spare!
How do you write an observation of hibiscus? ›
The Hibiscus flowers are showy and conspicuous. It is usually borne singly but sometimes can be seen in clusters. The flowers are trumpet shaped and range in colours of red, orange, yellow, pink or purple. There are five or more petals in a Hibiscus flower.
Do giant hibiscus come back every year? ›
Apply an extended-release fertilizer once in late spring when new growth emerges. This plant comes up later than most perennials. Don't fret! It will return reliably every year.
What flowers pair well with hibiscus? ›
When choosing companions for hardy hibiscus, look for plants that like full sun and moist, well-drained soil. If you prefer to let its star-power shine, choose low-growing plants, like sweet alyssum or sweet potato vines, to steer the focus to the brilliant, big blooms.
Why is hibiscus a perfect flower? ›
Hibiscus plants are perfect, also known as complete when it comes to their flowers. This means that the flower of the hibiscus plant has all the structures found in a flower. These include the male and reproductive structures, petals, sepals, and receptacles.
What is the spiritual meaning of the hibiscus flower? ›
Hibiscus is considered a sacred flower and is often used in ceremonies and rituals. The red hibiscus is particularly significant, as it is associated with the goddess Kali, who represents power, transformation, and change. Offering hibiscus flowers to the gods is said to bring blessings and good fortune.
Why is hibiscus so good? ›
Studies have shown that antioxidants in the hibiscus plant have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Additionally, hibiscus tea certainly has some promising potential health benefits, like lowering your blood pressure, stabilizing your blood sugar and reducing your blood lipid levels.
What is a few sentences about Hibiscus flower? ›
Hibiscus leaves and flowers may have beneficial properties for hair health. It might be helpful in circulating the blood to hair follicles. The leaves and flowers of hibiscus contain natural pigments, antioxidants and vitamins that might be useful for hair health.
Hibiscus paper is an indicator made from the petals of hibiscus flower. It changes colour from blue to red in an acidic solution. Caustic soda, limewater and potassium hydroxide are bases. In this solutions, the hibiscus paper remains blue.
How do you describe a Hibiscus flower? ›
Description. The leaves are alternate, ovate to lanceolate, often with a toothed or lobed margin (dentate). The flowers are large, conspicuous, trumpet-shaped, with five or more petals, colour from white to pink, red, blue, orange, peach, yellow or purple, and from 4–18 cm broad.
What flowering plant is similar to the hibiscus? ›
You may have noticed that the leaves of the Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus, are somewhat similar - although smaller with more of a serrated edge - to the leaves of the hibiscus. Like the hibiscus, it also flowers continually in the hot summer months.
What are the largest hibiscus flowers? ›
The Pink Elephant Hardy Hibiscus has been a favorite of David Anchondo since he discovered it eight years ago and got permission from the patent holder to propagate the plant. While the Hardy Hibiscus usually reaches diameters of five to seven inches, the Pink Elephant cultivar can approach a foot wide.
Is giant hibiscus edible? ›
Hibiscus flowers are large, colorful blossoms that grow in warm climates. The flowers can be eaten raw but are often used to make herbal tea.
What is the difference between Rafflesia and hibiscus? ›
Both flowers that represents Malaysia: the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and the Rafflesia arnoldii. The hibiscus is dainty and pretty looking while the Rafflesia is a botanical parasite.
