Hibiscus offers a stunning array of flowers, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden! Here are the best Types of Hibiscus you can grow!
Hibiscus flowers are popular for their eye-catching, trumpet-shaped blossoms and dark green foliage. They have over 200 different species in the world; each variety has a different color, size, and shape. Here are some of the best types of hibiscus you can grow!
Check out our article on different types of Clematis here!
Types of Hibiscus
Hibiscus flowers come under three main types:
- Tropical Hibiscus: As the name suggests, they do well in warm climates, and are native to Hawaii. They come in a plethora of colors and prized for their bright and shiny flowers.
- Perennial Hibiscus: These varieties go dormant in winters and then flower again in spring. They are unable to survive the infrequent cold snaps.
- Hardy Hibiscus: They are hardy in colder climates and grow big, wide flowers and come in white, pink, and red colors.
Best Hibiscus Varieties
1. China Rose
Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
The china rose is a popular Asiatic shrub, which is also known as a blackening plant since the flower is used for shoe polishing in the tropics. The plant primarily produces red flowers along with orange, pink, yellow single, and double petaled blossoms as well.
2. Rock Hibiscus
Botanical Name: Hibiscus denudatus
Native to the Mexico and United States, the shrub can be found clinging to the rocks. The triangular gray foliage is thin. The flower opens in the shades of white to deep purple and pink color.
3. Flower of an Hour
Botanical Name: Hibiscus trionum
This flower variety is also known as hibiscus trionum. The plant can grow up to 4-5 feet in height and forms cream to yellow colored flowers. The flower of an hour can be an outstanding addition for decoration purposes as well!
4. Blue Bird
Botanical Name: Hibiscus syriacus ‘Blue Bird’
If we are talking about colors, then this variety wins hands down. The stunning blue shade of its flowers simply looks breathtaking and adds an instant curb appeal to any place they are planted! It grows 3-4 feet tall in full sun. It is one of the best types of hibiscus you can grow!
5. Rose of Sharon
Botanical Name: Hibiscus syriacus
Rose in Sharon flowers from late summer to mid-fall, in a variety of shades like purple, white, and violet colors. The shrub can reach up to 5-15 feet long with sharp oval-shaped leaves. Proper pruning helps the plant to produce larger flowers.
6. Abelmosk
Botanical Name: Abelmoschus moschatus
Native to India, Abelmosk is an annual variety that can reach up to 5-6 feet tall. Its flowers have bright yellow-lime green petals, with a dark centered leaves. This variety produces flowers with musk-like fragrance, the seeds of which can be added to coffee. As it is considered a weed, it’ll be better if you plant it in pots!
Fun Fact: The leaves and shoots are edible and eaten as a vegetable.
7. Giant Rose Mallow
Botanical Name: Hibiscus ‘Giant Rose Mallow’
Giant rose mallow displays pink to white flowers, with a dark red center, and copper-purple, glossy foliage. The flowers are produced in a sequence, from midsummer till the frost of fall. This hibiscus variety thrives well in full sun and moist soil.
8. Rose Mallow
Botanical Name: Hibiscus moscheutos
This multicolored hibiscus variety is a perennial shrub that can grow up to 3-8 feet tall. The flower opens in the shades of pure white to deep rose with a maroon center, from summer to fall. This ornamental flower has 10-12 inches wide petal with dark green foliage.
9. Flower of an Hour
Botanical Name: Hibiscus trionum
This variety grows up to 4-5 feet in height and produces stunning looking flowers in yellow color. It is also used for decoration purposes. If you want a flower that intensifies the beauty of your garden, this is the one to go for!
10. Checkered Hibiscus
Botanical Name: Hibiscus moscheutos
Checkered hibiscus is a member of the Malvaceae family. It flowers in pink, white, red, and cream-toned flowers. The strikingly beautiful plant forms 4-5 inches wide flower. It thrives in well-drained soil and full to partial shade.
11. Black Dragon
Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Black Dragon’
The black dragon variety has a deep burgundy shade and is not completely black. This flower has been awarded as ‘The Hibiscus of the Year’ from the American Hibiscus Society. It can grow up to 3-6 feet tall, in full sun to partial shade.
12. Cherry Cheesecake
Botanical Name: Hibiscus ‘Cherry Cheesecake’
Cherry cheesecake hibiscus produces creamy-white petals, with magenta stripes and a dark red center. The thick petals have a ruffled look that can survive in harsh winds as well. It can grow up to 4-5 feet tall in full sun to partial shade. It is one of the best types of hibiscus you can grow!
13. Hawaiian Hibiscus
Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Hawaiian Hibiscus’
Hawaiian hibiscus is the state flower of Hawaii. It displays large, bright-colored petals that grow very fast and last long. This ornamental flower blossoms from spring through early summer, with an occasional flowering in the rest of the year.
14. Roselle
Botanical Name: Hibiscus sabdariffa
Hibiscus sabdariffa is a popular variety that produces white to calyces red flowers, with a red spot on every petal. This variety is edible and used in herbal drinks, medicines, and as a flavoring agent in the food sector.
15. Confederate Rose
Botanical Name: Hibiscus mutabilis
Also known as Confederate rose or Dixie rose mallow, it produces double flowers from summer to fall. Hibiscus mutabilis forms a 4-6 inch wide blossoms in pink and white color that turns red with time. The plant prefers well-drained soil and full to partial shade.
16. Scarlet Rosemallow
Botanical Name: Hibiscus Coccineus
Scarlet rosemallow is a woody upright variety, which is also known as Texas Star hibiscus. It produces 3-4 inch wide red flowers and can grow up to 6-7 feet tall and prefers full sunlight.
17. Kenaf
Botanical Name: Hibiscus cannabinus
Kenaf is a member of the Malvaceae family. The plant exhibits a 3-4 inch wide single, red flower. This variety is popular for the fiber, which is used in making jute. It prefers well-drained soil and a sunny location.
18. Sea Hibiscus
Botanical Name: Hibiscus tiliaceus
Hibiscus tiliaceus is also named as a sea and coast hibiscus. It produces bright yellow flowers covered with small shaft hairs on flexible stems. The plant has heart-shaped dark green leaves. It is used as a bonsai in many Asian countries, especially in Taiwan.
19. Luna Red
Botanical Name: Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Luna Red’
Hibiscus luna red is a compact, bushy plant that features five-petaled blossoms, with bright green foliage. The plant produces 6-8 inch wide flowers in well-drained, fertile soil. This variety dies back to the ground in winter and returns in summer.
20. Mango Liqueur
Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Mango Liqueur’
Mango Liqueur produces beautiful 6-8 inches wide, orange and gold ruffly flowers on vigorous bushes. The plant is a cross between ‘Muffin Man’ and ‘Crème de Cacao’ and grow to a height of 10-12 feet. The plant is mainly used in party decorations and weddings.-
21. Beach Beauty
Botanical Name: Hibiscus ‘Beach Beauty’
This hybrid hibiscus variety showcases large, 6-8 inches wide flowers, with hoops of golden yellow, white, and candy pink. These blossoms have a bright red eye and orange tints over the edges. It can grow up to 15-20 feet tall.
22. Exuberance
Botanical Name: Hibiscus ‘Exuberance’
‘Exuberance’ hibiscus is a hybrid of ‘Saffron’ and ‘Fireball.’ It flowers in orange, red, yellow, and pink shades. The plant produces large multicolored flowers that are 7-9 inches wide. Grow this shrub in full sun to partial shade. It is one of the best types of hibiscus you can grow!
23. Secret Heart
Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Secret heart’
‘Secret heart’ is a hybrid of ‘Rocket’s Red Glare’ and ‘Creme de Cacao.’ It flowers in pink and red shades in cold climates and opens in blue color in warm weather. The beautiful plant prefers alkaline soil for optimum growth
24. Sex on the Beach
Botanical Name: Hibiscus ‘Sex on the Beach’
‘Sex on the Beach’ is a tropical hibiscus that produces vibrant, 6-8 inches wide flowers. This stunning hibiscus has a star-shaped, bright orange center, with deep yellow outer edges. Grow this shrub in full sun to partial shade.
25. Aphrodite
Botanical Name: Hibiscus syriacus ‘Aphrodite’
The ‘Aphrodite’ has large, dark pink flowers with beautiful yellow centers. The deep fuchsia-colored blossoms look beautiful with velvety dark green foliage. This plant flowers in mid to late summer and grow up to 3-5 feet tall, in a sunny or partial shade.
26. Luna Pink Swirl
Botanical Name: Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Luna Pink Swirl’
This hardy perennial is valued for its large pink and white flowers with red centers. The plant can reach up to 5-7 feet tall and forms 6-8 inches wide flowers. Grow this hibiscus variety in well-drained, moist, and fertile soil.
27. Blue River II
Botanical Name: Hibiscus ‘Blue River II’
This hibiscus variety flowers from mid-summer to early fall. Its flower has a shorter life span that lasts not more than a day. The plant can reach up to 12-14 feet. Grow this striking plant in full sun and use rich organic soil for best flowering.
28. Lord Baltimore
Botanical Name: Hibiscus ‘Lord Baltimore’
‘Lord Baltimore’ is a herbaceous perennial that can grow up to 4-5 feet tall. It produces 8-10 inches wide, large, bright red flowers with glossy green leaves and ruffled edges. The plant flowers from mid-summer to early fall.
29. Bedazzled
Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Bedazzled’
‘Bedazzled’ is a hybrid between ‘Tis Huge’ and ‘Standing Ovation.’ It is a double hibiscus that forms 6-8 inches wide ruffled deep orange flower. The flower does not lose its deep color even in the hot summer sun.
30. Cranberry Hibiscus
Botanical Name: Hibiscus acetosella
Famous for its flashy foliage, that comes in magnificent shades of copper and burgundy, that somewhat resembles the shade of a maple tree. The plant grows funnel-shaped flowers in shades of yellow and red.
31. Hibiscus Tricolor
Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Tricolor’
The plant features variegated leaves coming in beautiful combinations of pink, white, and green. It grows round flowers in deep red color with canary yellow anthers. It is made by grafting and can also be planted in outdoor pots and containers
