Blooming Hibiscus

Our Master Gardner has become quite interested in hibiscus and we have several varieties in the back yard of “Fawnview Ranch.”  They are beautiful and enhance the other plantings; giving the yard a tropical look.  

Ruffled Satin, Rose of Sharon has large, ruffled pink  
flowers that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. It is one of the Proven Winner plants selected by horticulturists to give a lot of color without a lot of work. Adaptable to most well-drained soils, it may be trimmed in late winter or early spring and likes a controlled release fertilizer in the spring. 

Sugar Tip, Rose of Sharon is the only variegated Rose of Sharon that blooms.  The soft pink flower reminds one of a peony bloom. They show up in late summer but you have the crisp variegated foliage all summer long. Like other varieties it is deer resistant and attracts both humming birds and butterflies. Prune in fall/winter and avoid very wet or dry soil.

Hibiscus Rosa-sinensis or Chinese hibiscus is the one I am holding here.  This one happens to have double flowers that range from orange, red orange or red on the same bush. It is a large shrub that can get up to 15 ft. tall in frost free climates. It usually grows as a bush with many stems.  Flowers are up to 6 in. in diameter and most are flared with a bell shape. It likes full sun or partial shade with a fairly moist soil.

 According to one article I found, Chinese Hibiscus has: expectorant, antipyretic, antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, emollient, laxative, refrigerant, emmenagogue, and aphrodisiac properties.   Hard to believe…. but who can doubt “the internet.”   It also has a flavonoid known as cyaniding, which has antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory qualities. 

This single red blooming hibiscus is a tropical hibiscus that was purchased from Joshua's Nursery during the Garden Club field trip last spring. It is covered with blooms and the hummingbirds love it.