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Hibiscus blossoms are more associated with summer, but some varieties are also hardy. We present the most beautiful hibiscus varieties.
In the apartment, on the window sill, on the balcony, on the terrace or outdoors: The hibiscus (Hibiscus) is so incredibly diverse that there is the right one for every location suitable type and variety. Originally native to Southeast Asia, China and Polynesia, the hibiscus has long been an integral part of our garden landscape. We will take you to the great variety of hibiscus and introduce you to the most beautiful hibiscus species and varieties.
The most beautiful types and varieties of hibiscus
Hibiscus species: an overview
Before we turn to the most beautiful varieties, here is an overview of the different types: There are said to be around 220 hibiscus species worldwide. There are also countless varieties for each species. So the hibiscus is incredibly diverse. Here you will find an overview of the most important hibiscus species:
- The rose hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis): This species is also called Chinese hibiscus or indoor hibiscus. It is not hardy and can therefore only be cultivated in pots.
- The garden hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus): Probably the most popular hibiscus species in Germany. It is hardy and can be grown very well outdoors.
- The Almond Hibiscus (Hibiscus mutabilis): Another hardy hibiscus species that is notable for its changing flower colors.
- The marsh hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutus): This hibiscus species grows particularly herbaceously and can grow very tall. She is also hardy.
- Other less common species are Hibiscus arnottianus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Hibiscus caesius , Hibiscus calyphyllus and Hibiscus trionum.
In the following we present a selection of varieties of the four most important hibiscus species that we find particularly beautiful.
Rose Hibiscus Varieties
TheThe so-called rose hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) belongs to the heat-loving plants and is therefore not suitable for year-round outdoor cultivation, but must be overwintered indoors. The species is very popular as a pot or houseplant and has a very large variety of varieties.
- 'Gator Magic': This very rare hibiscus variety is characterized by pink, double flowers with a yellow edge. It flowers from April to November.
- 'Donna Lynn': This hibiscus variety flowers deep red on the inside, then purple and yellow on the outside.
- 'Gwen Mary': This variety blooms all summer long with bright pink flowers. The flowers can be up to 18 centimeters in diameter.
- 'Chasing Rainbows': This hibiscus variety has particularly large flowers. It flowers in a bright red, the flowers in the center have a dark red wreath.
- 'Dark Continent': The special flowers of this variety are brown on the outside and ruby red on the inside and have a diameter of 18 centimetres. It loves sunlight and flowers from April to November.
- 'Jolanda Gommer': This hibiscus variety grows up to 30 centimeters high in a sunny location. The flowers are large and come in a mix of purple, orange and red colors.
- Expect Miracles: Translated, the name of this strain means "expect miracles". The large, rich orange flowers are always beautiful.
- 'Tsunami': Another rare variety. The flowers are 16 centimeters in diameter and are brown and orange. A bright and sunny location is particularly important for this variety.
- 'Coloring Book': As colorful as a coloring book, this strain lives up to its name. The flowers shine in yellow, orange, white or pink and have a diameter of 20 centimeters. Flowering time is from April to November.
- 'Standing Ovation': The flowers of this hibiscus variety vary between red-orange and yellow and can be 15 centimeters in diameter. It blooms all spring and summer.
- 'Hula Girl': This hibiscus variety has large flowers that shine in a bright yellow. The flowers turn red towards the middle.
- 'Voodoo Magic': This very rare hibiscus variety owes its mystical name to its special-looking flowers. These are brown with an orange eye in the middle. You can marvel at these special flowers from April to November.
- 'Tahitian Flaming Dragon': In a spot in the sun, this variety blooms pink with whitestripes. The flowers have a diameter of 18 centimeters. You can enjoy the beautiful flowers from April to November.
- 'Tahitian Lavender Mirage': This rare variety features lavender-colored flowers with a diameter of 25 centimeters. Flowering time is from April to November. The hibiscus prefers a south-facing window with lots of sunlight.
- 'Cosmic Dancer': The flowers of this variety shine in a light to dark red and become lighter towards the outside until they are almost orange.
- 'Eye of the Storm': This variety impresses with special wavy flowers. Their color varies from pale pink to lilac to intense pink.
- 'Silver Charm': The flowers of this hibiscus variety are not silver, but white. They can be 19 centimeters in diameter and bloom from April to November in a sunny spot.
- 'Fruitango': Between April and November, this rare variety fascinates with its pink double flowers with yellow edges.
- 'Enchanted Lady': The flowers of this strain are yellow at the edges but turn red towards the middle and are dark, almost black, at the very center.
- 'Early Morning': This variety captivates with large pink flowers. It grows up to 50 centimeters high and prefers a partially shaded location.
- 'Heartbreak Hotel': With a diameter of 16 centimetres, the red flamed flowers of this variety are captivating. It prefers sunny places and flowers from April to November.
You can find out how to grow rose hibiscus and other types of hibiscus in pots here.
Hardy Hibiscus Species and Varieties
The following hibiscus species are all hardy and can therefore be planted outside in the garden. We present the most popular varieties of garden, almond and marsh hibiscus here.
Garden Hibiscus Varieties
The garden hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus) is a very robust species that can also be overwintered outdoors. Due to its woody shoots, it is also suitable for training as a trunk. Their diversity of varieties is rather small.
- 'White Chiffon': This variety impresses with its pure white flowers. These are semi-filled and have a diameter of 12 centimeters. The hibiscus can grow up to one and a half meters tall and flowers from summer to autumn.
- 'Pinky Spot': Can grow up to five feet tall. The flowers are red on the outside, white on the inside, and bloom from June to JuneAug.
- 'Purpureus Variegatus': This rather rare variety impresses with its double, red to violet flowers and whitish-green foliage. It flowers from July to September and grows to two meters high.
- 'Russian Violet': This variety enchants with pink and dark purple flowers between July and September. In a spot in the sun or semi-shade, the plant can grow up to two meters tall.
- 'Luna Red': The flowers are red in name and grow up to 20 centimeters in size. This hibiscus variety loves a sunny, sheltered spot and needs light winter protection.
- 'Duc de Brabant': The hibiscus variety with the French name is a broad, bushy shrub that can grow up to three meters high and one and a half meters wide. From July to October, this variety produces funnel-shaped flowers that are purple to dark red in color.
- 'Marina': This hibiscus variety grows up to two meters high. The flowers are dark blue with a dark red centre.
- 'Pink Giant': As the name suggests, the flowers of this variety are very large and pink in color. It does not grow very vigorously and is very sensitive to frost, especially as a young plant.
- 'Luna Pink Swirl': The large flowers captivate in white-pink tones and grow up to 20 centimeters in size. The plants constantly form new flowers throughout the summer. This variety loves a sunny, sheltered spot and needs light winter protection.
- 'Monstrosus': This hibiscus variety is not a monster, but beautiful. It has white flowers that turn red in the middle. Flowering time is from July to October.
- 'Blue Bird': The blue bird impresses with its large, blue flowers, which don't mind rain and which bloom very early in the year.
- 'Speciosus': The flowers of this variety are filled with white with a dark red centre. The plant can grow up to two meters tall.
- 'Jeanne d'Arc': This variety can grow up to two meters high. It blooms for a very long time, well into November, and has white, semi-double flowers. It prefers a partially shaded location and sheds its leaves in winter.
- 'Coelestis': This hibiscus variety can grow one to two meters tall. It blooms pale violet from July to September. Partial shade is ideal for this variety.
- 'Blue Chiffon': This relatively new variety flowers in summer and autumn with semi-double, blue flowers. it is veryhardy and can grow up to two meters tall.
- 'Leopoldii': The double flowers of this variety are soft pink and turn red in the middle. The plant can grow up to two and a half meters high and needs a sunny to semi-shady spot.
- 'Frech Point': A rather rare hibiscus variety with the white flowers being semi-double.
- 'Red Heart': This strain really has a red heart, as the white flowers have a red dot in the middle. In a sunny to partially shaded location, it grows up to one and a half meters high and flowers from July to October. In the fall she sheds all her leaves.
- 'Lady Stanley': Impresses with soft pink, double flowers that turn dark purple towards the middle.
- 'Ardens': This variety has a beautiful flower shape with particularly large flowers. These bloom in a delicate lilac color and turn red towards the middle.
- 'Hamabo': This hibiscus variety can grow up to one and a half meters high and prefers a sunny to partially shaded location. The large flowers are pink and bloom from July to September. In winter 'Hamabo' sheds its leaves.
- 'Woodbridge': Between July and October, this variety will gift you with ruby red to purple flowers.
The garden hibiscus is very suitable for a privacy hedge. You can find detailed instructions on how to create a hibiscus hedge here.
Almond Hibiscus Varieties
The Almond Hibiscus (Hibiscus mutabilis) is another hardy and hardy species of hibiscus. The name mutabilis means "to transform" in Latin. This goes very well with this type of hibiscus, because the flowers change color differently during the flowering period. The almond hibiscus grows in the form of a shrub, bushy and can grow up to 150 centimeters high. In general, this species prefers a location in the sun. We now present the most popular varieties of this type:
- 'Shanghai Pink': This hibiscus variety presents you with a very rich bloom. The flowers change color from pink to dark pink and bloom from September.
- 'Misty Pink': This variety of almond hibiscus is extremely rare. The flowers are soft pink, turning red toward the center.
- 'Double': This multi-stemmed shrub has double flowers with a diameter of 15 centimeters and can also be cultivated as a standard. The flower color changes from white to pink to red.
If you have decided on a hardy hibiscus variety, your plant can spend the cold season outside. Find tips and tricks for overwintering your hibiscus here.
Swamp Hibiscus Varieties
The marsh marshmallow (Hibiscus moscheutus) is another hardy hibiscus species. This needs a lot of sun to grow and can be grown directly in the garden due to its frost resistance. New varieties of this hibiscus species are constantly being bred. We recommend the following varieties:
- 'Lady B altimore': This very compact shrub gives you lots of pink flowers with a red dot from summer to autumn.
- 'Blue River II': This variety also loves a sunny spot and blooms with large, white flowers from May to October. The plant grows up to a meter and a half tall.
- 'Summer Storm': This variety boasts a diameter of up to 25 centimetres. The flowers are pink and bloom throughout the summer. The plant can grow up to a meter tall.
- 'Anne Arundel': This variety feels most comfortable in the blazing sun and presents you with plate-shaped pink flowers.
- 'Planet Griotte Tangri': In a sunny spot, this variety will give you red flowers from July to September.
- 'Old Yella': This variety produces yellow flowers with a red spot in the middle all summer long. The plant can grow up to a meter tall.
- 'Galaxy': This variety grows up to a meter tall and has white flowers with a red eye.
- 'Chatelaine': This hibiscus variety blooms purple between June and September.
- 'Southern Bell': This variety is extremely hardy and grows up to a meter tall. The flowers are pink.
- 'Cranberry Crush': The deep red flowers of this variety are up to 25 centimeters in diameter and bloom from July to September.
Once the right variety has been selected for your hibiscus, nothing stands in the way of planting. A detailed guide to planting hibiscus can be found here. And you can read here how to properly care for your hibiscus.
Tip: The hibiscus needs enough nutrients for magnificent flowers. Our Plantura organic flower fertilizer with a three-month long-term effect is perfectly tailored to flowering plants such as hibiscus.