Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Plant Characteristics

Cultivation

Scientific Names

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Read about Hibiscus rosa-sinensis in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Linn. (H. sinensis, Hort.). Chinese Hibiscus. Fig. 1834. In glasshouses a shrub 3-8 ft. high, but reaching 30 ft. in subtropical regions and becoming tree-like: glabrous: lvs. rather large, thin and shining green, broad-ovate to lance-ovate, somewhat tapering to the base, acuminate, coarsely and unequally toothed: bracteoles linear, free, as long as the calyx: fls. solitary in the upper axils of the new growth, on peduncles which exceed the petioles, bright rose-red, 4-5 in. across, with a projecting red column of stamens and pistil; sepals lanceolate, joined below the middle: caps, ovoid, glabrous, the valves terminating in a short beak. Asia, probably China: now distributed in warm countries, and one of the best known old- fashioned conservatory pot-plants, and one of the characteristic plants in tropical countries. B.M. 158. I.H. 29:441. G.C. III. 2:529. Gn. 53, p. 127.—It is now immensely variable. Forms are double-fld., and others are orange, yellow, bright red, magenta, and parti-colored. Var. Cooperi, Hort. (H. cooperi, Hort.), has narrow white- marked lvs. and distorted scarlet fls. G.Z.8:176. H.F.II.6:210. F.W. 1877:225. Var. Calleri, Hort. Fls. buff-yellow with crimson-scarlet base. Var. Van Houttei, Hort., deep crimson. Trade names belonging to H. Rosa-sinensis are brilliantissimus; carminatus, chrysanthus; fulgidus, fulgens; kermesinus; luteolus; luteus; miniatus; splendens; sub-violaceus; zebrinus. H. rosa-sinensis is a summer- flowering shrub which always attracts attention. It is often plunged in the open with other subtropical stuff. It is easy to grow in ordinary potting soil. In winter keep it slow by withholding water and keeping in a temperature not above 50°. In spring head the plants in and start them up to get the new wood on which the fls. are borne. Give plenty of water when growing, and syringe frequently. Prop, readily by softwood cuttings in spring, or by hard cuttings in fall. The fls. of this plant are said to be used in some places for dyeing hair and also for blacking shoes, whence the name "shoeblack plant." The species seldom seeds in cultivation, although it is reported seeding freely in tropical regions. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

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References

• Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

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