Exotic flowers in all the colors of the rainbow, sometimes double, sometimes undouble, sometimes with an impressive pistil - the variety of hibiscus is huge. There are more than 200 different species behind the flowers of this all-rounder.

Hardy species for the garden

The garden marshmallow / rose marshmallow

  • bot. Hibiscus syriacus
  • popular as a garden shrub and flowering hedge
  • blooms from July to September
  • loves a sunny spot

The most beautiful varieties of Hibiscus syriacus

  • "Blue Bird" with large, blue flowers, rainproof, fast-growing shrub, height of growth up to 1.80 cm
  • 'Red Heart' : white flowers with a red centre, slow-growing to 1.80cm
  • "Russian Violet" with flowers in pink or red-violet, fast-growing, grows to a height of 2m
  • "Hamabo" : large pink flowers, reaches a height of 150-180cm with medium growth, suitable as a standard

Hibiscus moscheutus as an alternative for sunny locations

  • herbaceous perennial perennial
  • 15-30cm large flowers
  • blooms from July to September
  • loves wine-growing climate

Beautiful varieties of hibiscus moscheutus

  • "Old Yella" with 25cm large yellow flowers, grows to about 100cm high, hardy to -20°C
  • “Cranberry Crush”: flowers deep red, perennials grow to a height of approx. 1m, hardy to -20°C

The Chinese hibiscus as a houseplant

  • bot. Hibiscus rosa sinensis
  • flowers from May to October in white, red, pink
  • can be outdoors as a container plant from May to October
  • needs a lot of water, sun and light
  • not hardy

Some varieties

  • 'Camdenii': easy to care for with red flowers
  • "Tahitian Lavender Mirage": rarity with lavender-colored flowers and a diameter of up to 25 cm, blooms in the south-facing window from April to November
  • “Silver Charm”: numerous white flowers up to 19 cm in size, 60 cm high, flowering period April to November

Special jewels

Coral Marshmallow

  • bot. Hibiscus schizopetalus
  • long-stemmed, overhanging, filigree flowers in coral red, shrub up to 3m tall, toothed, dark green leaves, very decorative

Almond Marshmallow

  • bot. Hibiscus mutabilis
  • the heart-shaped, jagged flowers change color from white to pink and red
  • strong shrub with a height of 150 cm and lush green leaves for the conservatory
  • Not suitable for windowsills due to its size
  • hardy to -15°C, needs sunny, warm locations for planting out
  • Varieties: "Shanghai Pink": flowers from September and "Double": 15 cm large, white, double flowers, suitable as a standard

tips and tricks

The flower of the hour, bot, is wrongly denounced as a weed. Hibiscus trionum. This is the only hibiscus species native to south-eastern Europe. With a bit of luck you can also spot the herbaceous hour flower with its white to pale yellow flowers on roadsides and fallow land in Germany.

Category:

Vegetable garden