Hibiscus Info

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis are native to Tropical Asia. Hibiscus plants are among the showiest of flowering shrubs, often reaching 30 feet in nature. Glossy foliage varies somewhat in size and texture depending on variety.

Hibiscus rosa-sinesis, commonly know as Queen of the Tropics, is coveted for its stunning beauty by plant enthusiasts around the globe. The Latin name rosa-sinensis means China Rose, more commonly known as tropical hibiscus.

Blooming: Flowers are 4-8 inches wide, may be single or double. Colors range from white through pink to red, from yellow and apricot to orange depending on variety. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis can be used for summer tropical color around pools, decks & patios. It will be a year-round flowering shrub in warm climates (zone 10).

Culture: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis need a well-drained compost consisting of 2 parts peat moss to 2 parts loam to 1 part sand. The plants need full sun to partial shade with intermediate to warm temperatures. Water the plants freely during the growing season. Fertilize the plants twice monthly with a balanced fertilizer from April through September. To keep mature plants growing vigorously, prune out about 1/3 of the old wood in spring. Pinching out tips of stems in spring and summer increases flower production. They may be grown outside in zone 7, but should be treated as annuals then.

History

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis was first discovered in China or perhaps India. Botanists are not really certain, since no wild stands of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis have been found growing anywhere. Wherever it originated, it was brought back to Europe by explorers in the 1700s. Carl Linnaeus, who gave us the Latin based taxonomy of plants that became the standard, collected at least one specimen of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and gave it that name in 1753 when he released his famous books, "Species Plantarum" (Species of Plants). He described a red double flower in that first naming of hibiscus.

This species, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, has been grown ever since in European botanical gardens and by private collectors. HVH obtained it from Europe a few years ago and now offers it in our online store. It is a beautiful, vigorous, glossy-leafed plant with intensely bright red, double flowers. It is very fun and easy to grow, even as a houseplant, and it is definitely recommended for modern hibiscus lovers.

HibisKISS™ Varieties

Click variety to view

• Good Night Kiss™

  Elegant and alluring, the 'Good Night Kiss'™ bloom is a deep red wonder with a bright yellow stamen, and is a prolific bloomer. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis are native to tropical Asia and are among the showiest of flowering shrubs. Place in full to part sun and provide a rich, well draining soil. Water freely during the growing season. Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer from April through September. Prune approx. ¹⁄₃ of the old wood in Spring. Pinching out tips of stems in spring and summer increases flower production. Hardy to 33°F.
  
  Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
  Exposure: Full to Part Sun
  Hardy To: 33°F
  Height: 4ft-6ft
  Width: 3ft-4ft
  

• Spin the Bottle™

  A carnival pinwheel of gorgeous reds, oranges & pinks radiating out to ruffled yellow edges! Spin the Bottle has an upright habit and is a heavy bloomer. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis are native to tropical Asia and are among the showiest of flowering shrubs. Provide a rich, well draining soil. Water freely during the growing season. Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer from April through September. Prune approx. ¹⁄₃ of the old wood in Spring. Pinching out tips of stems in spring and summer increases flower production.
  
  Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
  Exposure: Full to Part Sun
  Hardy To: 33°F
  Height: 3ft-4ft
  Width: 3ft-4ftv
  

• Kiss 'N' Tell™

  Kiss 'n' Tell™ has wonderfully tropical orange petals with deep burgundy centers. The 6-7" blooms stand out nicely against the foliage of this shrub that has a full, vigorous habit. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis are native to tropical Asia and are among the showiest of flowering shrubs. Provide a rich, well draining soil. Water freely during the growing season. Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer from April through September. Prune approx. ¹⁄₃ of the old wood in Spring. Pinching out tips of stems in spring and summer increases flower production. Hardy to 33°F.
  
  Exposure: Full to Part Sun
  Hardy To: 33°F
  Height: 3ft-5ft
  Width: 3ft-4ft
  

• Just Kissed™

  'Just Kissed'™ has beautiful, velvety orange-red blooms up to 7" wide with striking dark centers, and blooms repeatedly. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis are native to tropical Asia and are among the showiest of flowering shrubs. Place in full to part sun and provide a rich, well draining soil. Water freely during the growing season. Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer from April through September. Prune approx. ¹⁄₃ of the old wood in Spring. Pinching out tips of stems in spring and summer increases flower production. Hardy to 33°F.
  
  Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
  Exposure: Full to Part Sun
  Hardy To: 33°F
  Height: 3ft-5ft
  Width: 3ft-4ft
  

• Hugs & Kisses™

  Hugs & Kisses™ shows off its spectacular 7" pink and pale lavender overlapping petals that radiate out to salmon and peach colored ruffled edges. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis are native to tropical Asia and are among the showiest of flowering shrubs. Place in full to part sun and provide a rich, well draining soil. Water freely during the growing season. Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer from April through September. Prune approx. ¹⁄₃ of the old wood in Spring. Pinching out tips of stems in spring and summer increases flower production. Hardy to 33°F.
  
  Exposure: Full to Part Sun
  Hardy To: 33°F
  Height: 3ft-5ft
  Width: 3ft-4ft
  

• First Kiss™

  First Kiss™ has flirtatious 10" flowers dancing in pink, yellow and white with a passionately purple center. A vigorous grower and bloomer with dark green, heavily serrated leaves. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis are native to tropical Asia and are among the showiest of flowering shrubs. Provide a rich, well draining soil. Water freely during the growing season. Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer from April through September. Prune approx. ¹⁄₃ of the old wood in Spring. Pinching out stem tips in spring and summer increases flower production.
  
  Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
  Exposure: Full to Part Sun
  Hardy To: 33°F
  Height: 3ft-5ft
  Width: 3ft-4ft
  

Good Night Kiss™

Elegant and alluring, the 'Good Night Kiss'™ bloom is a deep red wonder with a bright yellow stamen, and is a prolific bloomer. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis are native to tropical Asia and are among the showiest of flowering shrubs. Place in full to part sun and provide a rich, well draining soil. Water freely during the growing season. Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer from April through September. Prune approx. ¹⁄₃ of the old wood in Spring. Pinching out tips of stems in spring and summer increases flower production. Hardy to 33°F.

Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Exposure: Full to Part Sun
Hardy To: 33°F
Height: 4ft-6ft
Width: 3ft-4ft