What’s in a name? When it comes to hibiscus, quite a lot. The botanical name Hibiscus encompasses several hundred species of tropical plants, hardy perennials and woody rose of Sharon shrubs. You may be familiar with one of their many common names like dinner plate hibiscus, rose mallow, rose of Sharon or althea. Other than their genus, the three types of hibiscus differ quite dramatically.
Which type of hibiscus are you growing? We’ll help you spot key characteristics so you can identify whether yours is a tropical, perennial or shrub hibiscus. Knowing which type of hibiscus you're growing will help you give it the care it needs so it thrives and blooms beautifully for years to come.
Tropical hibiscus, botanically known as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, are commonly grown outdoors in frost-free climates like southern Florida where they are used in foundation plantings and planted as hedges. In the north, they are sold as summer patio plants and houseplants that can be moved outside in summer and back indoors for winter. You may also see them sold in grafted tree form.
Tropical hibiscus flowers typically grow 4-6 inches across in shades of orange, yellow, red and pink. Purple and white forms are less common. Their petals are often ruffled and many feature an eye of a contrasting color.
Hollywood Hibiscus® varieties by Proven Winners® ColorChoice® produce an abundance of very large, upward- and outward-facing flowers on tidy plants with glossy dark green, disease-free foliage. Spectacular flower power is the signature of this series.
Tropical hibiscus thrives in hot, humid climates and full sun. If you grow them where temperatures dip below 50°F, you can bring them indoors until summerlike temperatures return. The move from outdoors to indoors may trigger plant shock and leaf drop, but after a short resting period, they should recover fully.
Perennial hibiscus like Summerific® ‘Edge of Night’ bloom for months in the summertime but die back to the ground for winter.
Perennial Hibiscus Characteristics and Care
Perennial forms of hibiscus, commonly known as rose mallow or perennial hibiscus, are derivatives of native wildflowers that grow naturally in sunny, swampy areas from Minnesota to Florida, zones 4-9. Several species can be found growing in the wild, the most common of which are Hibiscus moscheutos and Hibiscus coccineus. There, you could spot perennial hibiscus plants up to ten feet tall and have sparse foliage and flowers. The varieties you’ll find at your local garden center are hybrids of native species.
Our Summerific® perennial hibiscus is a diverse collection of red, pink, lavender, white and bicolor varieties that have been bred to bloom for months on dense plants with interesting foliage. Their dinner plate-sized, 7-9 inch wide flowers contrast beautifully against the green, olive or deep purple leaves. Thicker, overlapping flower petals prevent the flowers from becoming shredded in summer thunderstorms. If the hibiscus in your garden is orange or yellow, it is not a perennial hibiscus as these colors do not genetically exist in this type of hibiscus.
Hardy perennial hibiscus should be grown in the ground outdoors and given plenty of space as they typically mature to 3-5 feet tall and wide in just a few years. They make fabulous focal points in landscapes and perennial gardens. This type of hibiscus cannot be grown indoors as a houseplant like tropical hibiscus.
Deer typically pass perennial hibiscus by, but hummingbirds and pollinating bees are attracted to its colorful flowers from midsummer to fall. Rabbits may nibble on the new growth in spring, but the foliage will quickly grow out of their reach.
Full sun and consistent water are essential for growing perennial hibiscus successfully. Like shrub types, its leaves are slow to reappear in spring but fill out quickly once the plant begins to grow. In zone 5, it may not come back up until late May. If in doubt, don't dig it up!
In the fall, leave the thick, bare stems of your perennial hibiscus plant standing. They will help to catch the fallen leaves which will insulate the crown of the plant during winter. In early spring, use a strong pair of loppers to prune the stems back to about 6 inches and remove any debris that is caught amongst its branches. The plant will regrow from underground, not from last year’s stems.
Shrub types of hibiscus grow much larger than perennial and tropical hibiscus, like Starblast Chiffon® which reaches 8 to 12 feet tall.
Shrub Hibiscus Characteristics and Care
Shrub types of hibiscus, botanically known as Hibiscus syriacus, are commonly called rose of Sharon or althea. Like tropical hibiscus, shrubby hibiscus have woody stems and a bushy form. However, they produce smaller, single or double flowers in greater abundance, blooming in shades of pink, purple, blue and white. Some cultivars have a contrasting eye. Like perennial hibiscus, you won’t find a rose of Sharon with yellow or orange flowers. Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to their blooms, particularly single forms, but deer typically pass them by.
Rose of Sharon is a hardy shrub that should be grown in the ground outdoors in full sun in zones 5-9. It cannot be grown indoors as a houseplant like tropical hibiscus. Most varieties grow quite large, reaching heights of up to 12 feet, and are typically taller than they are wide. Some varieties like the Pillar series max out at just 4-5 feet wide but grow 10-16 feet tall. This shape makes them ideal for use along a fence line, as a screen, or as a focal point near the entryway of your home.
In northern climates, keep rose of Sharon shrubs watered consistently through late fall so that their flowers stay beautiful and the plants are well-hydrated going into the winter months. In warmer climates, maintain average moisture levels as long as the plants are actively growing. If pruning is needed for shaping purposes, do so in early spring.
While reseeding can become a nuisance in some climates, many Proven Winners ColorChoice varieties of rose of Sharon such as Sugar Tip®, Starblast Chiffon®, and Azurri Blue Satin® set little to no viable seed. Look for rose of Sharon varieties labeled seedless or non-invasive if reseeding could become an issue in your garden.
Contributor Bio: Susan Martin is an avid zone 6 gardener and content creator who enjoys spreading her passion for plants to others across North America.
All images courtesy of Proven Winners.
Patent Information: Summerific® 'Spinderella' Hibiscus USPP33309 CanPBRAF; Hollywood Hibiscus® Social Butterfly™Hibiscusrosa-sinensis USPP31854; Summerific® 'Edge of Night' Hibiscus USPP34359; Starblast CHIFFON®Hibiscussyriacus USPP30270; Sugar Tip®Hibiscussyriacus USPP20579 CanPBR3582; Azurri Blue Satin®Hibiscussyriacus USPP20563 CanPBR4391
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Few plants put on a summer show quite like hibiscus. Their bold, colorful blooms attract hummingbirds and add a tropical feel to gardens and patios. Knowing which type of hibiscus we have helps in providing the care it needs. Click here for an interesting article.
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