The wide range of colors of the simple or double flowers with their five overlapping petals ranges from white to rose-red to violet, yellow and rust-brown in numerous shades. Although the hibiscus is native to Southeast Asia, China and the Polynesian Islands, numerous species and varieties have been cultivated in Germany, not only because of their beauty, but also because they are mostly hardy with their evergreen foliage.
Table of Contents
Beautiful hibiscus species.
Hibiscus syriacus – garden hawkish
- the most popular kind in Germany
- hardy
- dense inflorescence
- Flowering period July to September
- Location: sunny
Hibiscus arnottianus – garden hibiscus – shrub marshmallow
- small shrub
- Height: 100 cm to 150 cm
- frosthart
- well suited as a container plant
- Flowering period: July to September
- Location: warm and sunny
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis – Chinese hibiscus – rose marshmallow
- one of the most popular types in Germany
- Flowers: white, pink to red
- very sensitive container plant
- can only go outside in summer
- Flowering period: May to October
- high water and nutrient requirements
- Location: warm, sunny, protected from wind and rain
Hibiscus sabdariffa – Roselle
- annual
- herbaceous growing
- 5 purple sepals and 5 yellow petals
- Growth height: 200 cm to 300 cm
- Full sun location preferred
Hibiscus trionum – hour flower
- annual, herbaceous
- Growth height up to 50 cm
- hardy
- Flowers white to pale yellow
- Location: sunny to full sun
Hibiscus mutabilis – Mandel-Eibisch
- Shrub up to 150 cm in height
- The flower color changes from white to pink to red
- deep green leaves
- Flower shape: heart-shaped
- Location: sunny
Hibiscus moscheutus – Marsh Marshmallow
- perennial and herbaceous
- hardy
- Flowers 15 cm to 30 cm in diameter
- shaded white-pink
- only grows in warm, sunny locations
Hibiscus El Capitolio
- fast growing shrub
- long, slender branches
- deep red flowers
- easy-care
- not hardy
- one of the oldest types
- Location: sunny
Hibiscus caesius – climbing hibiscus – dark-eyed hibiscus
- evergreen shrub
- Flower color: cream to cream-white
- not hardy
- ideal houseplant
- Location: sunny
- climbs up to 200 cm
Hibiscus calyphyllus – Sun Hibiscus
- deciduous shrub
- ideal for keeping in the winter garden
- Flowers: bright lemon yellow
- Flower diameter up to 30 cm
- green leaves change color in autumn
- Location: warm and sunny
- deep green, velvety leaves
Hibiscus cannabinus – Amethyst
- annual shrub
- not hardy
- Growth height up to 100 cm
- well suited as a houseplant
- Flower color: cream to cream-white-yellow
- blooms in summer until deep autumn
Hibiscus pernambucensis – wilder Hibiskus
- one of the few tree species
- Growth height up to 6 m
- large, golden yellow flowers
- glossy, deep green, long leaves
- not hardy
- ideal for the winter garden or as a houseplant
Popular hibiscus varieties
They have the same first name as Hibiskus; nevertheless, the numerous varieties that are created by breeding and crossing the species differ significantly in every respect. While the Chinese rose marshmallow, for example, has to be carried into the warm from 10 ° Celsius, the garden marshmallow defies the frosty temperatures of winter outdoors. The leaves of some beautiful cultivars are evergreen; in others, they change color in the fall before they are discarded. The most noticeable differences, however, are in the flower colors and shapes. They are simple, semi-double and double, with smooth, overlapping petals or wavy and curled edges.
Varieties of Hibiscus syriacus – common marshmallow:
Blue Bird
- strong growing
- hardy
- blooming early
- large, blue, rainproof flowers
Pink Giant
- medium growth
- large, pink flowers
- sensitive to frost as a young plant
Blue Chiffon
- new variety with a great future
- semi-double flower
- hardy
- Growth height up to 200 cm
- blooms in summer and autumn
White Chiffon
- pure white flowers
- half-filled with a diameter of 12 cm
- Growth height up to 150 cm
- blooms in summer until autumn
Duke of Brabant
- broad bushy shrub
- Height up to 3 m, width up to 1.5 m
- funnel-shaped flowers
- Flower color: bluish red to dark red
- Flowering period: July to October
- Location: warm and sunny
- hardy
Hamabo
- with a small trunk
- Permanently blooming
- large pink flowers
- Height of growth 80 cm to 150 cm
- Flowering period July to September
- deciduous in autumn
- Location: sunny to partially shaded
Mathilda
- very vigorous variety
- Flower color pale pink with dark red blotch
- Growth height up to 250 cm
- Location: sunny to partially shaded
- deciduous in autumn
Heavenly
- upright shrub
- Growth height up to 200 cm
- pastel purple flowers
- Flowering period: July to September
- Foliage changes color and falls off in autumn
- Location: sunny to partially shaded
Red Heart
- upright growing ornamental shrub
- Growth height: up to 150 cm
- beautiful mauve-like white flowers
- Single flowers with a red dot in the middle
- Flowering period: July to October
- throws off the discolored leaves in autumn
- Location: sunny to partially shaded
Jeanne D’Arc
- pure white, semi-double flowers
- Height: 150 cm to 200 cm
- Flowering period: well into October
- throws off the yellow-colored leaves in autumn
- extremely hardy
- Location: sun to partial shade
Purpureus Variegatus
- a rarity
- double, red-violet flowers
- green-white foliage color
- Flowering period: July to September
- Height: 150 cm to 200 cm
- Location: sunny to partially shaded
Russian Violett
- pink to reddish-purple flowers
- very vigorous shrub
- Growth height up to 200 cm
- Flowering period: July to September / October
- Location: sunny to partially shaded
Beautiful species of the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis – Rose Marshmallow
The varieties of this Hibiscus species presented below are all rarities of fascinating beauty. Since they are not winter-hardy, but mostly bloom from April to November, they can be put in the garden, on the terrace or on the balcony in summer on warm days, where they are sure to attract everyone’s attention.
Gwen Mary
- medium vigorous growth
- bright pink flowers
- blooms all summer
- Flower diameter up to 18 cm
- not hardy
Gator Magic
- rare rarity
- double pink flowers with a yellow margin
- Flower diameter 17 cm
- Flowering period: April to November
- not hardy
Fruitango
- fascinating rarity
- double red flower with a yellow margin
- Flower diameter up to 20 cm
- Flowering period: April to November
- not hardy
Voodoo Magic
- attracts everyone’s attention
- very rare rarity
- Flowers brown / dark with an orange eye
- Flower diameter up to 20 cm
- Flowering period: April to November
- not hardy
- preferred sunny location
Colorin‘ Book
- unique variety
- should be kept indoors
- Flower color: white, pink, orange, yellow
- double flower with a diameter of 20 cm
- not hardy
- Flowering period: April to November
- loves a sunny location
Early Morning
- rare variety
- pink, large flowers
- Growth height 50 cm and higher
- Location: sunny to partially shaded
Jolanda Erase
- Flower colors mixed in red, orange and violet
- Flower diameter: 18 cm
- loves the full sun
- Growth height up to 30 cm
- unusual rarity
Tsunami
- graceful and rare variety
- Flower color brown / orange
- Flower diameter: 16 cm
- Height about 30 cm
- loves a sunny location
Heartbreak Hotel
- red flamed flowers
- Flower diameter: 16 cm
- not hardy
- loves a sunny place
- flowers from April to November
Tahitian Flaming Dragon
- soft pink with white stripes
- Flower diameter: about 18 cm
- Height: 30 cm
- not hardy
- loves the blazing sunshine
- flowers from April to November
Standing Ovation
- Here, the name speaks for itself
- Flower color: multi-faceted yellow and red-orange
- Flower diameter: 15 cm
- Growth height up to 30 cm
- Location: in the sun
- blooms all through spring and summer
Topaz Glory
- glamorous flowers in brown
- double flowers with a diameter of 16 cm
- Height about 30 cm
- want to go into the sun
- blooms in spring and summer
Silver Charm
- lavish white flowers
- Flower diameter: 19 cm
- Growth height at least 60 cm
- sunny location
- flowers from April to November
Dark Continent
- Flowers ruby red on the inside, light brown on the outside
- diameter about 18 cm
- Growth height approx. 30 cm
- loves the sunlight
- flowers from April to November
Tahitian Lavender Mirage
- fairytale lavender flowers
- Flower diameter up to 25 cm
- Location: sunny south-facing window
- flowers from April to November
- very rare rarity
Beautiful varieties of Hibiscus moscheutus – Marsh Marshmallow
This species of hibiscus has produced numerous attractive varieties, which are usually also hardy, so that they can be planted in the garden without any problems. Avid breeders keep creating new varieties.
Old Yella
- yellow flowers with a red center
- Growth height up to 100 cm
- hardy to -20 ° Celsius
- Flowering period: July to September
- Location: sun to partial shade
Summer Storm
- pink flowers up to 25 cm in diameter
- Growth height up to 100 cm
- hardy to – 20 ° Celsius
- Flowering period: July to September
- Location: sun to partial shade
Cranberry Crush
- deep red flowers up to 25 cm in diameter
- Growth height up to 100 cm
- hardy to – 20 ° Celsius
- Flowering period: July to September / October
- Location: sunny to partially shaded
Anne Arundel
- plate-sized, pink flowers
- needs full sunlight
- hardy to – 10 ° Celsius
- green, slightly shiny foliage
Blue River II
- large, silky white flowers
- seeks full sunlight
- Height of growth 150 cm
- Spread up to 90 cm
- Flowering time from May to October
- hardy
Lady Baltimore
- compact growing shrub
- bears rich flowers
- Flower color: deep pink with a red point
- blooms all summer until autumn
- but will not appear until late spring
- Location: sunny to partially shaded
- hardy
Beautiful varieties of the Hibiscus mutabilis – almond pear
The botanical name ‘mutabilis’ means changeable and thus exactly matches the character of this hibiscus species. The young flowers shine in pure white and then slowly change to pale pink and later to dark pink before they fade. Due to the enormous vigor of this plant, it is hardly possible to cultivate it on the windowsill. Rather, it needs a large planter in which it can unfold.
Shanghai Pink
- robust shrub with rich flowers
- Flowers turn from pink to dark pink
- Flowering from September
- hardy to -15 ° Celsius
Double
- multi-stemmed shrub
- white, double flowers with a diameter of 15 cm
- deep green, glossy leaves
- can also be cultivated as a standard stem
- The flower color changes from white to pink and red
- hardy plant
- preferred sunny location
Conclusion
Among the more than 200 species of hibiscus and the numerous, attractive varieties, each individual plant is an individualist with its own advantages and disadvantages. By far the most popular species in Germany is the hibiscus syriacus, also known as the garden marshmallow, with an almost unmistakable variety of varieties. These varieties are not only attractive because of their beauty and colors, but also the fact that they are consistently hardy and can therefore be planted in the garden without any problems. Anyone who takes a closer look at the species Hibiscus rosa-sinensis – rose marshmallow – is caught in a short time by the true natural beauties that not only inspire passionate hobby gardeners. The varieties of this hibiscus species are not hardy, can, however, be taken outside on warm summer days and thus beautify the garden, terrace and balcony. In the cold season, they are well housed in a warm room or in the heated winter garden, so that they can unfold their full bloom in the following spring.
