Hawaiian hibiscus flowers are a few of the most lovely tropical hibiscus shrubs. On this article, I’ll share a few of my favourite varieties of Hawaiian hibiscus flowers, plus my important rising and care ideas.
Kinds of Native Hawaiian Hibiscus Flowers
Hibiscus are beautiful, colourful shrubs which can be often categorized both as hardy hibiscus or tropical hibiscus. Nevertheless, there are a number of sorts of hibiscus shrubs inside these two teams. Hawaiian hibiscus shrubs are tropical hibiscus species from the mallow household (Malvaceae) which can be classed as native to Hawaii. There are seven varieties of Hawaiian hibiscus, all of that are tropical hibiscus. Let’s check out these species in additional element:
Hawaiian White Hibiscus (Hibiscus arnottianus)
One in all my private favorites, Hibiscus arnottianus, is a phenomenal evergreen shrub with giant, star-shaped white flowers. These flowers have a delicate perfume and bloom all year long in the suitable situations. This hibiscus grows greatest in USDA Zones 9 to 11.
The elegant white flowers of Hibiscus arnottianus are complemented by easy, oval-shaped leaves. The flowers even have lengthy reddish-pink stamens. In my expertise, this Hawaiian hibiscus works nicely as a flowering hedge but additionally thrives in containers.
Yellow Hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei)
Hibiscus brackenridgei is a small hibiscus shrub that makes a wonderful flowering hedge. This Hawaiian hibiscus produces fascinating vibrant yellow flowers with darkish reddish-pink facilities. This species grows greatest in heat, tropical climates in Zones 9 to 11.
Hibiscus brackenridgei grows as much as 15 ft tall and roughly 8 to fifteen ft broad. In my expertise, they produce their greatest flowers from late winter to late spring. It may well additionally bloom all year long in appropriate climates. What’s extra, the yellow hibiscus can also be the state flower of Hawaii.
Clay’s Hibiscus (Hibiscus clayi)
Often known as the crimson Kauai rosemallow, Clay’s hibiscus is called after Horace F. Clay, a Hawaiian horticulturalist. Clay’s hibiscus dazzles with its vivid crimson star-shaped flowers. These flowers bloom all year long in Zones 9 to 11.
Clay’s hibiscus grows 10 to fifteen ft tall and roughly 4 to six ft broad. For my part, this Hawaiian hibiscus makes a phenomenal decorative evergreen shrub in tropical climates. Plus, it additionally grows nicely in containers however wants full solar.
Akiohala Hibiscus (Hibiscus furcellatus)
Hibiscus furcellatus is a perennial shrub that can also be native to components of the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Florida. I like that this hibiscus shrub produces pinkish-purple flowers with reddish-purple facilities.
Hibiscus furcellatus blooms all yr spherical in tropical climates in Zones 9 to 11. These Hawaiian hibiscus shrubs thrive in full solar and require well-draining, loamy, or sandy soils. In my expertise, Hibiscus furcellatus performs nicely as a flowering hedge but additionally grows nicely in containers.
Kokio Hibiscus (Hibiscus kokio)
Hibiscus kokio is a gorgeous shrub with beautiful crimson star-shaped flowers. These flowers bloom all year long in heat, tropical climates. The Kokio hibiscus can also be comparatively drought-tolerant and grows greatest in Zones 9 to 11.
Hibiscus kokio has pretty evergreen leaves with serrated margins. This Hawaiian hibiscus grows as much as 30 ft tall and roughly 8 to 12 ft broad within the wild. I discover it really works nicely as each a hedge and a container plant.
Sea Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus)
Hibiscus tiliaceus is extensively distributed world wide in tropical coastal climates. It’s generally generally known as the ocean hibiscus or coastal hibiscus. Sea hibiscus shrubs produce giant, vibrant yellow flowers with crimson facilities. Apparently, these flowers solely final a day, steadily turning orange and crimson.
Sea hibiscus shrubs develop greatest in Zones 10 to 12 and require full solar. Plus, these hibiscus shrubs develop between 10 and 25 ft tall and broad.
Kauai White Hibiscus (Hibiscus waimeae)
Often known as the white Kauai rosemallow, Hibiscus waimeae is a phenomenal hibiscus tree that blooms all year long. This Hawaiian hibiscus has white star-shaped flowers that steadily fade to pink. Every flower solely lasts for sooner or later, though these shrubs bloom all year long.
Hibiscus waimeae thrives in Zones 10 to 12 and works nicely as a flowering hedge. It additionally works nicely as a decorative evergreen tree in heat, tropical climates.
Rising Hawaiian Hibiscus Flowers at Dwelling
With the correct care and the suitable local weather, Hawaiian hibiscus flowers can bloom all yr spherical. In my expertise, these lovely tropical shrubs are often at their greatest throughout spring and summer season. Let’s check out the way to develop these flowers at dwelling:
Appropriate Rising Zones
Hawaiian hibiscus shrubs are native to tropical climates world wide. As such, these shrubs develop greatest in USDA Zones 9 to 12, want heat temperatures, and can wrestle in chilly climates. These vegetation could lose their leaves if daytime temperatures fall beneath 55ºF.
Greatest Occasions of 12 months to Plant
Hawaiian hibiscus vegetation might be grown from seed or purchased as fully-formed vegetation. Plant shrubs exterior within the spring. This offers the shrub loads of time to determine a wholesome root system earlier than winter arrives. In case you’re rising them from seed, it’s at all times greatest to begin them indoors in late winter.
Appropriate Areas to Plant
Plant Hawaiian hibiscus shrubs in sunny, sheltered areas that shield from chilly winds. I’d suggest planting shrubs in containers in the event you reside in a colder local weather exterior Zones 9 to 12. In any other case, Hawaiian hibiscus shrubs will behave like annuals in colder areas.
Issues for Pots & Container Gardens
In case you reside in a chilly local weather, you possibly can nonetheless develop Hawaiian hibiscus vegetation in containers or pots. Nevertheless, you’ll need to convey your shrubs indoors in the course of the winter. This protects them from chilly temperatures and winds. All the time select a big pot that gives loads of house for the roots.
Soil Necessities
Like different hibiscus vegetation, I discover that Hawaiian hibiscus shrubs can tolerate numerous varieties of soils. For the most effective outcomes, develop shrubs in nutrient-rich, well-draining soils with loads of natural matter. For greatest outcomes, I at all times use barely acidic soil with pH ranges between 6.0 and 6.5.
Mild Issues
Hawaiian hibiscus shrubs carry out greatest after they obtain 4 to 6 hours of full solar each morning. Nevertheless, they might want partial shade throughout sizzling, dry summers. This protects them from intense direct afternoon daylight. Southeast or south-facing areas present the correct amount of sunshine.
Important Hawaiian Hibiscus Care
Hawaiian hibiscus flowers are fairly straightforward to take care of in the event you handle their fundamental wants. That mentioned, particular consideration must be paid to watering these tropical vegetation, particularly throughout sizzling, dry summers. Right here’s the way to take care of these shrubs:
Watering
Hawaiian hibiscus vegetation often want soil that stays barely moist always. That mentioned, some species are comparatively drought-tolerant. Water the shrubs as soon as a day to maintain the soil moist in the course of the summer season.
Most Hawaiian hibiscus shrubs want 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Cut back how regularly you water throughout fall and winter as a result of your hibiscus will naturally go dormant. These vegetation desire excessive humidity ranges, which you’ll obtain utilizing a greenhouse in cooler climates.
Fertilizing
Including some recent compost every year will present recent vitamins in your Hawaiian hibiscus. Nevertheless, you possibly can apply extra fertilizer to assist your shrub produce its greatest flowers. Feed your shrubs each two to 4 weeks throughout spring and summer season. Use liquid fertilizer and dilute it in accordance with the directions on the packet.
Pruning
Hawaiian hibiscus flowers solely final for sooner or later, so deadhead them recurrently. This helps your shrub divert its power to new flowers. In frost-free areas, flippantly prune in late winter to maintain it in examine. In case you’re rising in containers in colder climates, prune them within the spring.
Pest Management & Deer Resistance
Pests like aphids, Japanese beetles, and mealybugs often goal Hawaiian hibiscus shrubs. Use insecticidal cleaning soap or horticultural oils like neem oil to eliminate pests.
Whereas not formally deer-resistant, these shrubs aren’t often focused by grazing deer. Nevertheless, you possibly can plant deer-resistant companion vegetation like lavender or rosemary close by to discourage curious herbivores.
Finish of Season and Overwinter Care
Hawaiian hibiscus vegetation naturally go dormant in the course of the winter. As such, keep away from fertilizing them in the course of the winter and scale back how regularly you water. Solely water when the highest few inches of soil really feel dry.
In case you’re rising these vegetation in containers in colder areas, you’ll want to guard them. Wrap some horticultural fleece across the pots and apply a few inches of mulch. This preserves heat and moisture.
Alternatively, you possibly can transfer your potted shrubs indoors in the course of the winter. Nevertheless, indoor situations might be too dry for these hibiscus shrubs. Greenhouses are perfect for overwintering shrubs as they’re often pretty humid.
Hawaiian Hibiscus – Wrapping Up
Hawaiian hibiscus flowers are lovely, colourful vegetation that make glorious decorative shrubs for tropical gardens. These hibiscus shrubs thrive in heat temperatures and full solar in Zones 9 to 12. Water recurrently to maintain the soil moist. In colder areas, develop Hawaiian hibiscus shrubs in pots so you possibly can convey them indoors in the course of the winter.
Edd is a budding content material author and gardener dwelling in the UK. He has a bachelor’s diploma in Artistic and Skilled Writing and has written for a number of gardening publications on-line. He’s enthusiastic about nature and sustainability with a give attention to gardening and wildlife.
