hibiscus definition

Before we get into it, many people want to know, "How do I tell if I Have a Hardy Hibiscus or a Tropical Hibiscus?" and "Will My Hibiscus Overwinter Outside?" You need to know which one you have. Unfortunately, garden centers, nurseries and home improvement centers lump all hibiscus together.If your hibiscus has glossy deep green leaves, 3-6" flowers of red, pink, orange, yellow, double or single flowers, it is probably a TROPICAL hibiscus. While many common garden varieties have the 3-6" blooms, many of the hybrid varieties of tropical hibiscus can have blooms around 10" in diameter under ideal conditions.
Another way to check is if the flowers are salmon, peach, orange, or yellow, or double flowered, then you probably have a TROPICAL hibiscus. Hardy hibiscus do not come in these colors or in doubles! Many tropical hibiscus flowers have more than one color in a bloom either in bands or as spots. If your hibiscus has dull medium green heart shaped leaves, dinner plate sized white, pink or red flowers with HUGE, bomb shaped buds (2-4" in length!), it is a perennial, hardy hibiscus.
Hardy hibiscus need very little care over the winter, they are root hardy to about zone 5 with no protection. They die to the ground each year.If you have a tropical hibiscus, remember it is a TROPICAL. They will not tolerate more than a night or two of light freezes. Even one hard freeze (below 25) could kill the plant. These plants are native to sunny, warm and usually humid tropical places. They detest cold, rainy weather and cold, wet soil. They will not reliably survive outdoors north of zone 9. In all other areas, it may be a good idea to bring them indoors BEFORE temps regularly drop below 40-45 F at night to avoid any damage. Some are spent after 4 or 5 years in a pot and should be tossed away at this point. Try some of the many and never ending new hybrids being developed!

Check out http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/470195/ for another du=iscussion about this subject.

Can anyone ID this Dinnerplate Hibiscus for me? I'd like to post the pics, but think it needs to be identified. Thanks!

If it didn't have a name when you got it, you may not be able to find the right name.

It has the wrong leaves to be Lord Baltimore. You may want to do some reading about Luna Red.

Thanks!

Great I have at least 3 that are tropical and are in the ground and will be deadsticks this winter :o(

Thank you for the explanation though. I have always wondered exactly what the difference was.

Just want to contradict one little point--the first post mentions that hardy hibiscus don't come in doubles, that is not entirely correct. I know at least Rose of Sharon (H. syriacus) does have some double flowered cultivars ('Lavender Chiffon' is one that I have grown, but I know there are a few others). Everything else sounds dead on though!

This is a double hardy of mine. The picture color is not true, it is more of a peach color in person.

And this is ny next door neighbor's. This one just glows at night.

Maybe there is hope for this one then.

Oops, I just realized that white photo of mine is the H. mutabilis, not my neighbor's plant. But the mutabilis, or Confederate Rose as it is called, is hardy to zone 8 for sure and maybe some colder areas.

Marie, from the leaves on your plant it looks like that one is tropical. It is a beauty though.

I wish the garden centers would label them properly. I planted mine in the ground (not knowing the difference) and we do get a couple of freezing nights.

If you only get a couple of freezes you might want to cover your plant on those nights with an old sheet or a mini greenhouse and see how it does. Make sure you really keep it on the dry side during the cold months.

This is another another photo of my peach pink hardy; notice how the leaves are sort of dull and the buds are different.

Where could I get mini green houses? That sounds like an idea worth trying. I covered alot of stuff with freeze cloths and sheets last year. I tried to pick things that can take some cold when I was replacing what I lost last year but will still have to cover this year too.

P.S. I found out what my hibiscus is: Hardy Hibiscus, Rose Mallow, "Disco Belle Pink!" I've submitted my post.

I found some little plastic dome "greenhouses" that look like very deep umbrellas. I found them at Big Lots but it was several years ago and they never have the same thing twice.

Ok I will do some researching. Maybe I can come up with something similar

Or,
Get some large clear plastic bags like king size pillows come in. Put the plant in and close the end. poke holes for vents. Gets air and light, and holds in the heat. Make your own!

Be real careful that the plastic does not touch the plant or be sure to get it off before the sun comes up or you can have cooked plants where they touch. You might stick some bamboo stakes around your plant like a frame then put a plastic bag over it. That should work well.