Origin: Midwest and East Coast (for hardy hibiscus) and Asia and the Pacific Isles (for tropical hibiscus)
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Hibiscus
Includes: Hardy hibiscus, shrub hibiscus and tropical hibiscus
Name Origin: The word “hibiscus” comes from “hibiskos,” a Greek word named for the plant.
History: North American gardeners can feel assured knowing they are planting a native perennial. Hardy Hibiscus are hybrids that can be primarily traced back to the species Hibiscus moscheutos. This species can be found growing naturally in wetlands and along riverbanks throughout the Midwest and East Coast, extending down even into Texas and Florida. Most think of Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) when they hear the word, while horticulturists may note the shrub Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) also falls in this category. However, neither of these plants fall into what is commonly considered “Hardy Hibiscus.”
Colors, Size, and More: Hardy hibiscus can have flowers that range in color from bright red to pinkish white to blue to purple! They also range in size from two to 10 feet tall.
Popular Hardy Hibiscus Varieties: Summer Spice, Luna, Head Over Heels and Summerific
Did You Know?: Hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia, South Korea and the Republic of Haiti.
Breeders: Harris Seeds, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Brent and Becky’s, True Leaf Market, Park Seed, Gurney’s Seed & Nursery Co, Burpee, Breck’s, Jung Seed, Puretree, PW, Selected Seeds
Source: National Garden Bureau
