The 10 Types of Hibiscus in My Container Garden

1. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Brilliant Red'

Currently, I have 10 different hibiscus plants in my garden. All are grown in pots.

The above hibisus is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Brilliant Red', the National Flower of Malaysia. It is the 2nd hibiscus I planted in my garden. A family member won this lucky draw prize, now it has become my prized possession.

• It is the most dependable hibiscus plant in my garden - it can live on its own without any extra fertilizer or watering from me
• it is ever-flowering - it gives me flowers every day, the whole year through.
• the flowers attract butterflies, even bugs in love - to see Grasshoppers Mating post, click here.
• flower buds can be eaten, even my pet tortoise, Blastoise loves it. (See here).
• sunbirds love to perch on its branches. 

By the way, do you notice anything unusual about this flower?
Well, there are 2 superimposed flowers here!

“The 10 Types of Hibiscus in My Container Garden”, a copyrighted post, was written for My Nice Garden blog by Autumn Belle @ http://www.mynicegarden.com/ on Sept 9th, 2011.

2. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Cooperii Alba'

This Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Cooperii Alba' was the first hibiscus I planted in my garden. I bought the sapling expecting the flowers to be brilliant red but it turned out to be crimson red. I thought the leaves would be deep green but it was variegated in cream, pink, white and green. This plant can also live independently on its own, its needs taken care for by Mother Nature. There is no need for extra water or fertilizer.

3. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis - Double Flower Pink

When I bought this double flowers hibiscus, I thought it was yellow!
Unopened flower buds look yellow but fully opened, it is a pale pink.  

4. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis - Single flower yellow with pink veination

This one has yellow petals and deep pink veins. 

5. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis - Single Flower with Red Eye

This yellow hibiscus flower is quite big. Unlike other hibiscus flowers which last only a day, the flowers of this plant last for 2 days. It opens in the morning, semi-closes in the evening and open again the next morning before it closes for good and the petals drop off.

The flowers are big while the plant is dwarf sized, less than 2ft tall.

6. Malvaviscus arboreus

Turk's cap flowers are tiny but many. They are always pointing up but only half-opened.

I prune it frequently to keep it short and compact.

It is easy to propagate by cuttings.

7. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis - Double Flower Red

I like the bright red colour of this Hibiscus rosa-sinensis with double flowers.

I think this vermillion red is very auspicious and the flowers look like roses.

Unlike roses, hibiscus plants don't have thorns.

8. Hibiscus moscheutos - Dark Pink

I used to admire this Hibiscus moscheutos at the Kuala Lumpur Hibiscus Garden but I doubt it could thrive in my garden, so I didn't buy those available for sale at the local nurseries. The flowers are huge, i.e. almost 0.5ft across. This is the size of dish plates!

Recently I discovered that it is actually quite easy to grow. Just that it is always thirsty for water and need more feeding with fertilizers, otherwise the buds will dry up and drop off before they can open.

The local nursery people call this "Bunga Raya Hawaii" meaning Hawaiian Hibiscus. I bought 2 plants at Floria 2011 at about RM 15.00 (USD 5) per plant.

9. Hibiscus moscheutos - White

Some flowers are completely white while others develop a splash of pale pink which makes it look like the 'blusher' on the 'cheeks' of the flower. The plant is actually very short and compact at less than 1 m tall eventhough the flowers are jumbo sized.

Is the blushing effect due to sun / warmth exposure?

10. Hibiscus sabdariffa - Roselle

This Hibiscus sabdariffa is now flowering and fruiting. The seeds of this Roselle plant was given by Bangchik. My grateful thanks to Bangchik. I am looking forward to the day I can have my first taste of home grown roselle juice.

Now, which one is your favourite?

This is my entry for :
1) Fertilizer Friday - hosted by Glenda of Tootise Time, and
2) Weekend Flowers #11 - hosted by Tina
3) Today's Flowers #160 - TF team Santilli - Denise - Pupo - Sandy Carlson