Hibiscus × rosa-sinensis

RHS Plant Profile

Chinese hibiscus

RHS

Other common names

blacking plant, China rose, Chinese rose mallow, garden hibiscus, Hawaian hibiscus, Malabar rose, rose of China, shoe flower, shoe-black, shoe-black plant

Synonyms

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Rose of China'

Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs

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A compact evergreen shrub with ovate to broadly lance-shaped glossy dark green leaves. Single 5-petalled flowers 10cm across with yellow anthered red stamens are produced from the leaf axils from summer to autumn, though in cultivation semi-double and double forms are available. Flower colour is also very variable in cultivation ranging from crimson to orange, yellow or white

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Malvaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Hibiscus can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, trees, annuals or perennials, with simple or palmately lobed leaves and large, funnel-shaped flowers over a long flowering season
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Vanuatu

How to Grow

Cultivation

May be grown outdoors in mild, frost-free areas, or in large containers that can be moved indoors over winter. Outdoors, grow in neutral to slightly acidic soil in full sun, and mulch well over winter. Hibiscus need long, hot summers to flower well. Indoors, grow in bright filtered light with moderate humidity and good ventilation. See Hibiscus rosa-sinensis cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 13-18°C (55-64°F) in spring or propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

Pruning group 9 little or no regular pruning evergreen shrubs

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects, mealybugs and glasshouse whitefly when grown under glass

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and powdery mildews