If you’re looking for a show-stopping addition to your garden, then look no further than hibiscus. These beautiful plants come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, making them the perfect accent for any flower bed or planter box.
Let’s explore some of the different types of hibiscus that exist so you can determine which one is right for you!
Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos)
Hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) is a beautiful flower that can bring a cheerful, vibrant touch to any garden. This perennial plant is known for its bold and colorful blooms, which come in a range of sizes and colors.
With so many options available, it can be difficult to choose which type of hardy hibiscus is best for your garden.
Here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular hibiscus varieties.
‘Blush’
The ‘Blush’ hardy hibiscus plant has large blossoms in shades of white and pink with dark center disks. Its flowers measure up to 8 inches across, making them one of the largest blooms among all hardy varieties of hibiscus.
When it comes to hibiscus plant care, the ‘Blush’ hibiscus also produces strong stems that make this variety easier to grow than other varieties.
‘Berry Awesome’
‘Berry Awesome’ hardy hibiscus plants are known for their bright pink blooms with delicate yellow centers. Their blooms measure 6-7 inches across, and their foliage has an attractive glossy green tone.
These plants are also very disease resistant, making them easy to maintain throughout the growing season. This is also beneficial when growing it with other companion plants for hibiscus.
‘Honeymoon Red’
‘Honeymoon Red’ hardy hibiscus plants have velvety red petals with golden yellow center disks. The striking contrast between these two colors makes this variety stand out among other types of hardy hibiscuses.
‘Cranberry Crush’
‘Cranberry Crush’ hardy hibiscus varieties produce deep pink petals with bright yellow center disks. This variety will add a stunning contrast to any garden or landscape design because its color palette is quite unique from other varieties of hardy hibiscuses.
‘Vintage Wine’
‘Vintage Wine’ hardy hibiscus plants have deep burgundy petals with golden yellow centers and glossy green foliage. This variety is highly disease resistant and requires minimal maintenance throughout the growing season, making it perfect for those who don’t have much time on their hands but still want a beautiful garden.
‘Passion’
The ‘Passion’ variety is known for its deep rosebud-shaped flowers that open up in shades of pink, red, and white. Its foliage consists of serrated leaves in deep green and bronze colors with bright yellow edges.
‘Lord Baltimore’
‘Lord Baltimore’ has been named after Maryland’s state bird due to its striking resemblance to the colorful creature’s feathers. Its petals are often described as being shaped like stars, with vivid colors ranging from fuchsia pink to white and even purple.
‘Honeymoon Red’
The ‘Honeymoon Red’ variety is easily recognizable by its large, bold flowers that range from a deep red hue on their outer petals to a vibrant white center. The plant itself enjoys plenty of sunlight and thrives in slightly acidic soil with low moisture levels.
‘Luna Pink Swirl’
As its name implies, this variety is known for its unique flower shape that resembles a swirling pattern starting from pale pink near the center and gradually fading into dark pink near the edges. Its foliage is also eye-catching; each leaf features hints of yellow around its vein-like markings against a backdrop of deep green coloration.
‘Luna Red’
This hibiscus variety sports deep red petals with hints of yellow around the edges for added contrast against its bright green foliage. It prefers plenty of sunlight but does well in moist soil conditions as well.
‘Luna White’
‘Luna White’ is a large variety of hardy hibiscus with white flowers that measure up to 8 inches across. The hibiscus flowers are slightly ruffled around the edges and have pink centers. This variety grows well in full sun to part shade.
‘Luna Rose’
‘Luna Rose’ is similar to ‘Luna White’ but with pink/rose colored flowers instead of white. It’s also larger than its counterpart with petals reaching up to 10 inches across. Like Luna White, it blooms from mid-summer through early fall in full sun to part shade areas and can reach heights up to 5 feet tall.
‘Mars Madness’
‘Mars Madness’ has showy deep red flowers that measure about 6 inches across. Its foliage is dark green, glossy and very attractive when not in bloom. It blooms from late summer into early fall in sunny or partially shaded areas
‘Midnight Marvel’
‘Midnight Marvel’ features deep purple/magenta flowers with yellow centers that measure about 6 inches across. It blooms from mid-summer into early fall in full sun areas.
‘Starry Starry Night’
‘Starry Starry Night’ has deep blue petals that measure about 8 inches across with yellow centers surrounded by darker blue stripes radiating outwards from the center like stars in the night sky! This variety does best when planted in full sun areas.
Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
One of the most popular hibiscus types is tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). Native to East Asia, tropical hibiscus plants produce the large showy flowers that you often see in tropical climates and at beach resorts.
Most varieties of tropical hibiscus have five petals and come in a variety of colors including pink, yellow, orange, white, and red. These types of hibiscus flowers bloom throughout summer, making them a popular choice for gardeners looking to add an exotic touch to their landscape.
‘Black Dragon’
This is another stunning variety native to tropical Africa. As its name suggests, this type has deep black foliage with hints of burgundy depending on how much sunlight it gets throughout the day.
With these hibiscus types, the flowers themselves are small, with five white petals surrounded by bright orange stamens which make them stand out even more against their dark background.
‘Seminole Pink’
This is another unique variety originating from Florida’s Everglades region where it grows wild throughout wetland areas.
This type of tropical hibiscus has beautiful pink flowers which contrast nicely with its glossy green foliage and give it its name ‘Seminole Pink’ – named after Florida’s Seminole Indians who used this plant for medicinal purposes such as treating fevers or skin rashes.
‘Nairobi’
This type of tropical hibiscus is native to East Africa and grows best in full to partial sun with occasional shade throughout the day. It has small, purple bell-shaped flowers with long thin petals that curl gently at the tips.
The leaves of this tropical hibiscus plant are light green with a soft texture, making them perfect for creating shady areas in your garden. ‘Nairobi’ requires regular watering during summer months but needs less water during cooler months.
‘El Capitolio’
This tropical hibiscus variety grows best in full sun with occasional shade throughout the day. It has large, bright red flowers that look like stars with five wide petals radiating outward from the center eye. The leaves are deep green and glossy.
‘El Capitolio Sport’
The El Capitolio Sport is a hybrid variety of tropical hibiscus created by crossing two different species of tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). It has dark green leaves and large trumpet-shaped flowers that can be pink, white, yellow, orange or even red.
‘Fiesta’
The Fiesta variety of tropical hibiscus is a cultivar created by crossing two species of tropical hibiscuses (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). It produces large flowers with deep pink petals that have yellow centers – giving them an interesting two-tone effect. The ‘Fiesta’ requires full sun to thrive but can tolerate partial shade as well. It blooms all year round in warmer climates but tends to go dormant during cold winters.
‘Hawaiian Hibiscus’
The ‘Hawaiian Hibiscus’ is one of the most famous tropical hibiscus flowers. This tropical hibiscus plant is native to Hawaii and has become increasingly popular due to its drought tolerance and ability to grow in warm climates without much maintenance required from gardeners.
Its large, showy flowers come in shades ranging from deep reds to vibrant oranges and pinks with yellow centers.
These colorful blossoms attract hummingbirds and butterflies alike! This variety also does not require as much water as other types making it ideal for dryer regions where water conservation is important.
‘Painted Lady’
This variety of hibiscus has vibrant pink flowers with white centers. They tend to bloom more heavily in spring but will continue flowering throughout summer if given enough sunlight and water. ‘Painted Lady’ hibiscus varieties can also be trained into shrubs or small trees if you prune them regularly.
‘Eye of Kali’
The ‘Eye of Kali’ requires a lot more sunlight than other types of hibiscus shrubs. Its blooms usually last from late spring till late autumn, so they make an excellent addition to garden beds or large containers near windowsills or patios where they can get plenty of light.
‘Hawaiian Sunset’
These multi-colored flowers have yellow centers surrounded by orange petals, which fade into vibrant pink tips making them quite eye-catching! ‘Hawaiian Sunset’ plants need lots of sunlight and water, so make sure you give them plenty when planting them outdoors!
Lilac Hibiscus (Alyogyne huegelii)
The lilac hibiscus is a shrub-like plant native to Australia with dark green foliage and purple-lilac flowers that bloom from October through February. The flowers have five deep purple petals with yellow centers and can reach up to six inches in diameter.
This type of hibiscus requires full sun exposure and well-draining soil in order to thrive.
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
The Rose of Sharon has large single blooms that come in shades of pink, purple, white, and red. These plants are drought tolerant once established and are often used as borders or hedges around gardens or homes.
The Rose of Sharon can bloom from midsummer throughout fall and doesn’t require much maintenance other than occasional pruning to shape it into desired form.
There are several cultivars to pay attention to.
‘Aphrodite’
‘Aphrodite’ hibiscus is known for its large double flowers. This variety is notable because it can produce multiple blooms on one stem at a time – making it a showstopper in any garden space! Aphrodite comes in shades of pink, purple, orange, yellow, white, and red, depending on the variety you choose.
‘Blue Bird’
The Blue Bird variety has single blue flowers with an orange center that stands out amongst the green foliage. This type loves full sun but will also tolerate some shade during the hottest parts of the day.
‘White Chiffon’ & ‘Blue Chiffon’
These hibiscus varieties have ruffled petals that give them their unique “chiffon” name! Both ‘White Chiffon’ & ‘Blue Chiffon’ hibiscus have large single blooms with bright centers making them stand out from their lush green foliage. These varieties are heat tolerant once established but do best with regular waterings during dryer periods throughout the summer months.
‘Summer Ruffle’
The ‘Summer Ruffle’ variety is an evergreen shrub with delicate petals surrounding deep colored centers which gives them their unique ruffle look! They grow up to 8 feet tall so they should be planted towards the back or side of your garden space as they may block smaller plants from view if placed too close together.
‘Blue Satin’
The ‘Blue Satin’ is easily one of the most popular varieties of hibiscus. This flower has large, double petals that range in color from light blue to deep purple. They are very fragrant and have a particularly long blooming season, making them perfect for those looking for long-lasting color in their gardens.
‘Sugar Tip’
‘Sugar Tip’ hibiscus varieties have cup-like blooms that open up into five or six pointed petals. These flowers usually come in shades of white with yellow centers and pink tips, giving them their signature “sugar tip” look.
‘Blueberry Smoothie’
For gardeners looking for something a bit more unique, the Blueberry Smoothie variety is definitely worth considering. These flowers feature beautiful bi-colored petals that range from deep red at the base to white near the tips.
‘Lil Kim’
‘Lil Kim’ hibiscus varieties are known for their large blooms and bright colors. These flowers come in shades ranging from pink to orange, with each bloom featuring a bright yellow center.
‘Lavender Chiffon’
Lavender Chiffon is another type of hibiscus that offers plenty of visual appeal with its delicate blossoms and light purple hue. This variety has small petals that open up into large star-shaped blooms with wispy edges.
‘Lucy’
This variety produces small white flowers with red centers and grows in full sun or partial shade conditions. The Lucy variety is popular for use as an ornamental plant in gardens because it blooms continuously throughout the summer months.
‘Minerva’
‘Minerva’ is characterized by its bright yellow flowers.. This variety forms large shrubs or trees which make it ideal for hedges or privacy screens around gardens or yards.
‘Red Heart’
‘Red Heart’ is especially resistant to cold temperatures compared to other types of hibiscus plants. Its flowers are bright red and have five petals each; they also have a yellow center that adds an extra splash of color to the overall look of this plant!
‘Purple Pillar’
As its name suggests, ‘Purple Pillar’ produces tall columns of purple flowers. It has a long flowering season—from late summer all the way through fall—and may produce blooms in shades ranging from dark purple to light lavender.
‘Pink Chiffon’
‘Pink Chiffon’ is one of the most popular varieties due to its eye-catching pink blooms with white centers that resemble pom poms when they open up fully.
Sea Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus)
The sea hibiscus is a large evergreen shrub native to tropical regions around the world, including Hawaii, Malaysia, Polynesia, Australia, and India. It has large glossy green leaves with serrated edges as well as fragrant yellow flowers that bloom from May through October.
Sea hibiscuses prefer partial shade and moist soils for optimal growth.
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Roselle is an annual herb native to tropical Africa but widely cultivated throughout Asia, South America, and some parts of North America for its edible calyxes or sepals.
Roselles have bright red or pink flowers that bloom from June through October, along with palmate leaves with three or five lobes. Roselles require full sun exposure and well-draining soil for optimal growth.
Perennial Hibiscus
There are countless types of hibiscus plants that can be grown as perennials, with gorgeous hibiscus flowers appearing season after season. Let’s take a look at a few of these particular hibiscus species.
Rose Mallow
One popular hibiscus species is Rose Mallow. These plants are known for their large blooms that come in shades of pink, white, purple, and red. The flowers typically measure between 6 to 8 inches in diameter and have five petals with a lacy center.
They bloom from summer through fall and will attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden.
Giant Rose Mallow
This type of hibiscus plant blooms from summer through fall and has an extended bloom time compared to other varieties. It is relatively drought-tolerant once it has established itself in its environment.
Scarlet Rose Mallow
This variety of hibiscus features bright red flowers with yellow centers. It is well adapted to wet areas such as marshes or swamps and grows best in full sun or partial shade
Swamp Rose Mallow
As the name implies, this type of hibiscus prefers moist soils. Its white flowers have dark pink centers that turn deep maroon as they mature, making them very attractive to pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds alike.
Scarlet Swamp Hibiscus
This variety is similar to the swamp rose mallow but features larger blooms with deep scarlet petals surrounding a yellow center that turns deep maroon as it matures. These plants prefer wet environments but will tolerate some dryness once established.
Confederate Rose
This is one of the showiest types of hibiscuses. It has huge white flowers with deep pink centers that change color as they mature into shades ranging from deep reds all the way through purples.
Rock Hibiscus (Hibiscus denudatus)
Rock hibiscuses are perennial subshrubs native to South Africa that grow up to two feet tall with leathery grayish-green leaves and white star-shaped flowers that bloom from November through April. This type of hibiscus prefers partial shade exposure as well as nutrient-rich soils for optimal growth.
Flower of an Hour (Hibiscus trionum)
Flower of an hour is an annual herb native to Europe but widely naturalized throughout North America where it grows up to two feet tall with velvety green leaves and showy white or yellow flowers.
Annual Hibiscus
There are a few hibiscus plant types that are meant to be grown as annuals in most climates. Let’s take a closer look.
Chinese Hibiscus
The Chinese Hibiscus is another type of hibiscus that is well-known for its bright colors and intricate patterns on its leaves and petals. It grows best in warm climates with plenty of sunshine; however, it can survive temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit if kept indoors during cold weather months.
The flowers can reach up to 8 inches across with five petals that come in an array of colors, including yellow, orange, red, pink, or white, with a darker center blotch or “eye” at the base of each petal. As an added bonus, these plants will also attract hummingbirds!
Red Leaf Hibiscus
The red-leaf hibiscus is native to tropical regions around the world and has been cultivated for centuries. This type of hibiscus can range from deep burgundy to deep crimson in color.
What is the Hardiest Hibiscus?
When it comes to finding the hardiest type of hibiscus for your garden, nothing beats Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos). This variety can survive temperatures as low as -30°F, making it ideal for colder climates where other varieties may struggle to survive. It also requires less fertilizer than other types, so it’s an ideal choice for those who want a low-maintenance plant that still looks beautiful all year round!
No matter which type of hibiscus you ultimately choose, there’s sure to be something out there just perfect for your outdoor space.
With their bright colors and varied patterns on their leaves and petals – these blooming beauties will surely bring joy into any yard this season! So don’t wait – get planting today to create an eye-catching display in your own backyard!
