Hibiscus is a large genus of over 200 species. One species Hibiscus cannabinus, is extensively used in paper making. Another, roselle Hibiscus sabdariffa is used as a vegetable and to make herbal teas in the Caribbean but it is as an extravagantly coloured flower that we know it best.
If your hibiscus has flowers of red, pink, orange, yellow, salmon, peach, orange, or two coloured double or single flowers, it is probably a tropical hibiscus. Hardy hibiscus do not come in these colors or in doubles! If it is a perennial, hardy hibiscus they need very little care over the winter, they are root hardy and die to the ground each year.
Houseplant Hibiscus
- Chinese Hibiscus are shrubby plants that make fine indoor exhibitions if given plenty of light.
- Bought plants will have been treated to keep them small and compact. You can prune them to keep in shape.
- Short lived, trumpet shaped flowers are available in many colours and there is a regular supply of new buds.
- Keep in a constant temperature to avoid bud drop.
- Don’t over-water, keep on the dry side but water in summer.
Look at Thompson Morgan for more ideas.
The American Hibiscus Society lists the following links
- AmHS Hibiscus Database
- The Australian Hibiscus Society
- Hibiscus Society of Queensland (Australia)
- Australian Native Hibiscus Family
- Wally Morgan’s “The World of Hibiscus”
- EzE Greetings: Unique Greeting Cards
- Official International Hibiscus rosa – sinensis CULTIVAR REGISTER
- Tropical Hibiscus: “Queen of the Tropics”
- Hibiscus 101, Basics and Beyond
- Lists & Lists … Hibiscus Species, Varieties and Cultivars
- Steve Sivek’s “Welcome to Casa Prima Flora”
- J.E. Ludick, Hibiscus Hybridizer
- Florida Plants Online
- Florida Federation of Garden Clubs
- Harry P. Leu Gardens – Orlando’s Scenic Garden Setting
- The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens – Sarasota, Fla
- Amer.H.S. chapters, some of them have Websites, too
- The Wise Gardener
- Hardy hibiscus
- Hibiscus Syriacus – A List of Cultivars in Collections and Print
- Merveilleux HIBISCUS, a hibiscus site in France
- Hibiscusmania, a hibiscus site in France
- Malvaceae in Brazil (Brazilian Hibiscus)
- Florida’s Garden (Brazilian Hibiscus)
- Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis in Sweden
- Welcome to Hibiscusweb – a German Site
- Hibiscus of India by F.K.Kakkassery
- Hibiscus – Official flowers of Hawaii, Puerto Rico.…
- Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Gardens- Hawaii
- International hibiscus society
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