A Comprehensive Guide to 44 Types of Hibiscus Plants for a Colorful Garden

ByWayne Brown
A Comprehensive Guide to 44 Types of Hibiscus Plants for a Colorful Garden

Are you looking to add a burst of color and beauty to your garden, porch, or patio? Look no further than the versatile and stunning hibiscus plants. With hundreds of species and countless hybrids and cultivars to choose from, hibiscus is a diverse genus of flowering plants that are sure to brighten up any space.

From annuals to perennials, shrubs to trees, hibiscus plants come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. Whether you have a small container garden or a vast landscape to fill, there is a hibiscus plant perfect for your needs. In this article, we will explore 44 different types of hibiscus plants, their unique characteristics, and tips for growing them successfully.

So, grab your gardening gloves and get ready to dive into the world of hibiscus plants!

Swamp Hibiscus

  • Name: Swamp Hibiscus
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Swamp hibiscus is a vibrant shrub known for its vivid red flowers that thrive in sunny, humid conditions. This plant can tolerate wet soils along ponds and creeks, making it an excellent choice for areas where other plants struggle. Be sure to mulch around the base of the plant in colder regions to protect it during winter.

Cotton Rose

  • Name: Cotton Rose
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Cotton Rose is a fast-growing hibiscus species that can resemble a tree due to its large size. With beautiful white, pink, and red flowers that bloom for extended periods, this low-maintenance plant is perfect for adding a pop of color to your garden. Pruning in late winter or early spring will help promote new growth and vibrant flowers.

Rose of Sharon

  • Name: Rose of Sharon
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Rose of Sharon is a beloved garden favorite known for its showy blossoms with dark-colored centers. This easy-growing shrub can be pruned into a treelike shape or left to grow in a vase shape. Keep an eye out for volunteer seedlings if you want to maintain control over its spread.

Rose of Sharon ‘Blue Chiffon’

  • Name: Rose of Sharon ‘Blue Chiffon’
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‘Blue Chiffon’ is a unique cultivar of Rose of Sharon with beautiful blue-tinged flowers and a ruffle of inner petals. This tall shrub thrives in well-drained soils and offers a rounded growth habit. Look forward to blooms beginning in high summer and extending through fall.

Rose of Sharon ‘Sugar Tip’

  • Name: Rose of Sharon ‘Sugar Tip’
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This double-petaled cultivar of Rose of Sharon boasts cotton candy-colored blooms with deep red centers. With a more compact size compared to other varieties, ‘Sugar Tip’ is a low-maintenance option with attractive variegated leaves. Enjoy the blooms without the worry of invasive spreading.

Rose of Sharon ‘Red Heart’

  • Name: Rose of Sharon ‘Red Heart’
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‘Bicolor rose of Sharon cultivar ‘Red Heart’ features striking white flowers with deep red throats accented by pale yellow stamens. This plant blooms from midsummer through fall, making it a great choice for a hedge plant due to its strong stems.

Rose of Sharon ‘White Chiffon’

  • Name: Rose of Sharon ‘White Chiffon’
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‘White Chiffon’ is a stunning Rose of Sharon variety with snowy white blooms throughout. Heat, salt, and drought tolerant, this cultivar offers a delicate look with a ruffle of petals around the stamen. Expect blooms all summer long with this versatile and hardy plant.

Rose of Sharon ‘Aphrodite’

  • Name: Rose of Sharon ‘Aphrodite’
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For a bushy, full-growth hibiscus shrub, consider ‘Aphrodite’ Rose of Sharon. With large, bright pink flowers and a wide growth habit, this variety is perfect for those looking to make a statement in their garden. Enjoy the blooms without the worry of self-seeding in this beautiful and sun-loving plant.

Rose of Sharon ‘Blue Satin’

  • Name: Rose of Sharon ‘Blue Satin’
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‘Blue Satin’ Rose of Sharon is a stunning type of hibiscus with blue-violet flowers and deep red throats. Drought and salt tolerant, this tall shrub is easy-growing once established and won’t self-seed. Enjoy the vibrant blooms without the need for constant maintenance.

Rose of Sharon ‘Blueberry Smoothie’

  • Name: Rose of Sharon ‘Blueberry Smoothie’
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The showy double blooms of ‘Blueberry Smoothie’ are shades of violet that can appear genuinely blue. Whether allowed to grow tall and full or pruned to a treelike shape, this spectacular shrub will provide abundant summer blooms. Plant in a sunny spot to appreciate the rich colors.

Rose of Sharon ‘Lavender Chiffon’

  • Name: Rose of Sharon ‘Lavender Chiffon’
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‘Vardenafil Chiffon’ is a lovely Rose of Sharon variety with light purple, semi-double flowers and subtle red veins. This long-blooming, seed-free plant will grow bushy and full if left unpruned, making it an ideal hedge or privacy screen. Pruning in the early spring will help maintain its shape and encourage new growth.

Rose of Sharon ‘Lil Kim’

  • Name: Rose of Sharon ‘Lil Kim’
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If you’re short on space for tall plants, consider ‘Lil Kim’, a dwarf Rose of Sharon cultivar that stays around four feet in height. With abundant white blooms featuring vivid red centers and prominent veining, this compact shrub is perfect for containers or borders to enjoy all summer long.

Rose of Sharon ‘Lucy’

  • Name: Rose of Sharon ‘Lucy’
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‘Lucy’ Rose of Sharon blooms with full, showy, double-petaled flowers in a rich magenta color. With a full, bushy growth habit, this seedless cultivar is great for hedging or privacy screening. Enjoy the abundant blooms by planting in a sunny spot to encourage flowering.

Rose of Sharon ‘Minerva’

  • Name: Rose of Sharon ‘Minerva’
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‘Minerva’ is a colorful variety with large, pinkish-purple petals, a deep red throat, and contrasting ivory stamen. This drought-tolerant hibiscus type thrives in moist soil and is known for its large, beautiful blooms. Pruning in late winter or early spring will help promote a fuller, bushier growth habit.

Rose of Sharon ‘Purple Pillar’

  • Name: Rose of Sharon ‘Purple Pillar’
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‘Purple Pillar’ is a unique Rose of Sharon cultivar that grows tall and narrow, making it ideal for compact spaces. With pale purple double blooms and deep red throats, this plant thrives in moist soil and can tolerate drought once established. Enjoy the beautiful blooms without the need for constant watering.

Rose of Sharon ‘Orchid Satin’

  • Name: Rose of Sharon ‘Orchid Satin’
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For hibiscus flowers that can be seen from a distance, consider ‘Orchid Satin’. This tall shrub boasts large, single pale-pink blooms with dramatic red throats and prominent red veining. Perfect for hedges, borders, and privacy screens, ‘Orchid Satin’ is a versatile and stunning addition to any garden.

Rose of Sharon ‘Purple Satin’

  • Name: Rose of Sharon ‘Purple Satin’
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‘Purple Satin’ Rose of Sharon features rich purple blooms with dark red throats and striking ivory stamens. This drought-tolerant, heat-tolerant variety will bloom all summer long without the need for excessive watering. Enjoy the vibrant flowers in a sunny spot with plenty of space.

Rose of Sharon ‘Sugar Tip Gold’

  • Name: Rose of Sharon ‘Sugar Tip Gold’
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‘Sugar Tip Gold’ is a low-maintenance Rose of Sharon variety with three-season color. The prominently variegated green-and-gold foliage lasts from spring to fall, providing a stunning backdrop for the double purple blooms. This sterile cultivar is perfect for containers and borders, offering beauty without the worry of invasive spread.

Tropical Hibiscus

  • Name: Tropical Hibiscus
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Tropical hibiscus is a lush, vibrant plant that thrives in mild climates, making it ideal for both perennial gardens in warm regions and annual container plantings in cooler regions. Known for its trumpet-shaped blooms in bright colors, this plant requires frequent watering to keep the soil evenly moist, especially in hot, dry weather.

Hardy Hibiscus

  • Name: Hardy Hibiscus
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If you love the look of hibiscus but live in a cooler climate, consider hardy hibiscus, which is native to the Midwest and East Coast and more tolerant of cool temperatures. With large, delicate blooms in an array of colors, this wetland species prefers consistently moist, rich soil for optimal growth.

Roselle

  • Name: Roselle
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Also known as Florida cranberry, Roselle is a hibiscus type with deep red calyces used to make tart beverages like sorrel and agua de jamaica. This shrubby plant features pale pink flowers with deep red centers and thrives in well-drained soil and full sun.

Sea Hibiscus

  • Name: Sea Hibiscus
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Sea Hibiscus, native to tropical regions of Asia, is known for its lemon-yellow blooms with deep red centers. Considered to have invasive potential in coastal regions of southern Florida, this plant requires full sun and well-drained soil to thrive.

Cranberry Hibiscus

  • Name: Cranberry Hibiscus
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Cranberry hibiscus is a unique variety typically grown for its attractive leaves rather than its flowers. With deep red, palmate leaves and edible pink or red flowers, this plant thrives in full-sun conditions for the most vibrant foliage.

Coral Hibiscus

  • Name: Coral Hibiscus
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Also known as fringed hibiscus or pagoda flower, Coral Hibiscus features pendant-like flowers with delicately feathered red petals that curve up from a prominent stamen. Ideal for container planting in cooler climates or as a perennial border plant in tropical regions, this species adds a unique touch to any garden.

Swamp Rose-Mallow

  • Name: Swamp Rose-Mallow
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Known for its showy pink blossoms, Swamp Rose-Mallow is a low-maintenance native plant that thrives in wet, marshy areas. With large, velvety green leaves and abundant blooms, this species is perfect for rain gardens and low-lying areas where other plants struggle to grow.

Hamabo Hibiscus

  • Name: Hamabo Hibiscus
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Native to China, Korea, and Japan, Hamabo Hibiscus offers bright, cheery blooms from late spring into fall. With flowers that transition from yellow to orange as they age, this plant attracts pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies. Plant in full sun to partial shade with good drainage for optimal growth.

Halberd-Leaf Rosemallow

  • Name: Halberd-Leaf Rosemallow
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Fast-growing Halberd-Leaf Rosemallow produces delicate, cup-shaped blooms in shades of pink or white with red centers. Thriving in very moist soil and marshy areas, this plant is ideal for rain gardens and wetland habitats. Enjoy the vibrant blooms throughout the summer season.

Hawaiian White Hibiscus

  • Name: Hawaiian White Hibiscus
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Unlike most hibiscus plants, Hawaiian White Hibiscus offers a mild fragrance. Endemic to the mountains of Moloka’i and O’ahu, this species is now widely grown in tropical and subtropical climates. Plant in full sun for optimal flower growth and disease resistance.

Woody Rose-Mallow

  • Name: Woody Rose-Mallow
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Also known as false cotton, Woody Rose-Mallow blooms with large, white or pale pink flowers featuring deep red centers. Tolerant of hot, humid weather, this plant thrives in consistently moist soil and blooms from late spring through early fall. Enjoy the enchanting blooms throughout the growing season.

Sleepy Hibiscus

  • Name: Sleepy Hibiscus
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Known for its cupped pink and purple flowers with pink stamens and red centers, Sleepy Hibiscus is a long-lived perennial that thrives in full sun. Regular watering and pruning, particularly in hot, dry weather, will help promote blooms and maintain the plant’s health.

Rock Hibiscus

  • Name: Rock Hibiscus
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Compact and versatile, Rock Hibiscus is a smaller species native to arid climates in the Southwest U.S. and northern Mexico. Tolerant of rocky, sandy soils and drought conditions, this plant features pink or purple flowers that bloom year-round with occasional watering. Enjoy the profuse blooms in a sunny spot.

Double Hibiscus

  • Name: Double Hibiscus
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Cultivars of double hibiscus feature full flowers with multiple layers of ruffle-like petals, ideal for mass plantings, accents, or hedges in tropical climates. In cooler regions, grow double hibiscus in containers and prune in late fall to maintain shape and encourage new growth for the next season.

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