Exotic flowers in all colors of the rainbow, sometimes double, sometimes unfilled, sometimes with impressive pistils - the variety of hibiscuses is huge. There are more than 200 different species behind the floral splendor of this all-rounder.
Which hibiscus species and varieties are recommended?
There are over 200 species of hibiscus, including hardy garden shrubs such as Hibiscus syriacus and Hibiscus moscheutus, as well as houseplants such as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Popular varieties include “Blue Bird,” “Red Heart,” “Russian Violet,” “Hamabo,” “Old Yella,” and “Cranberry Crush.”
Winter-hardy species for the garden
The Garden Marshmallow/Rose Marshmallow
- bot. Hibiscus syriacus
- popular as a garden shrub and flowering hedge
- blooms from July to September
- loves a sunny location
The most beautiful varieties of Hibiscus syriacus
- “Blue Bird” with large, blue flowers, rainproof, strong-growing shrub, height up to 1.80cm
- “Red Heart”: white flowers with a red center, slow growing up to 1.80cm
- “Russian Violet” with flowers in pink or red-violet, fast-growing, reaches 2m high
- “Hamabo”: large flowers in pink, reaches a height of 150-180cm with medium growth, suitable as a standard tree
Hibiscus moscheutus as an alternative for sunny locations
- herbaceous, perennial herb
- 15-30cm large flowers
- blooms from July to September
- loves wine-growing climate
Beautiful varieties of Hibiscus moscheutus
- “Old Yella” with 25cm yellow flowers, grows to a height of approx. 100 cm, hardy down to -20°C
- “Cranberry Crush”: blooms deep red, perennial grows to approx. 1m tall, hardy down to -20°C
The Chinese hibiscus as a houseplant
- bot. Hibiscus rosa sinensis
- blooms from May to October in white, red, pink
- can be planted outdoors as a pot plant from May to October
- needs a lot of water, sun and light
- not hardy
Some varieties
- “Camdenii'”: easy to care for with red flowers
- “Tahitian Lavender Mirage”: Rarity with lavender-colored flowers and a diameter of up to 25 cm, blooms in the south window from April to November
- “Silver Charm”: countless white flowers up to 19cm tall, reaches 60cm high, blooms from April to November
Special Jewel
Coral Marshmallow
- bot. Hibiscus schizopetalus
- long-stemmed, overhanging, filigree flowers in coral red, bush up to 3m high, toothed, dark green leaves, very decorative
Almond Marshmallow
- bot. Hibiscus mutabilis
- the heart-shaped, jagged flowers change color from white to pink and red
- strong shrub with a height of 150 cm and lush green leaves for the winter garden
- not suitable for windowsills due to its size
- hardy down to -15°C, requires sunny, warm locations for planting
- Varieties: “Shanghai Pink”: blooms from September and “Double”: 15 cm large white, double flowers, suitable as a standard tree
Tips & Tricks
The hour flower is wrongly criticized as a weed, bot. Hibiscus trionum. This is the only hibiscus species native to southeastern Europe. If you're lucky, you can also spot the herbaceous hour flower with its white to delicate yellow flowers on roadsides and fallow land in Germany.