PlantFiles: Red-Leaf Hibiscus, False Roselle, African Rose Mallow
Hibiscus acetosella 'Red Shield'

I for this as a cutting in the fall of 08. Rooted easily, and I kept in pot till spring. It's gotten HUGH ! Easily 8 feet across, and 5 ft high.
I did keep it trimmed to encourage spread vs. height. I love the dark cranberry colored blooms. It's been very easy, requiring water only once in a while if we don't get rain for a few weeks.

I ordered the seeds and I don't remember from where - but I had 5 beautiful plants, as far as the shrub was concerned - we just had our first frost and I didn't get one bloom all summer from these plants. Is this usual for the red shield not to bloom the first year? I was so looking forward to seeing the blooms. It has been a crazy weather year here in NE Kansas.

But I also had another beautiful hibiscus plant (pink and white with a burgandy center and lighter green foliage) and I can't remember its name - it was a much shorter plant and just full of blooms and they are still blooms on the plant that the frost didn't kill.

Stunningly beautiful foliage, however it has only been unreliable about returning in my 8b garden. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. So now I keep mine in 15 gallon nursery containers which can be stored over the winter in a cold frame, and tucked into place in slightly larger nursery containers which are permanantly buried in the bed once its warm. Its worth it!
From a pint container the first year my original plant grew to 7' tall x 3' Wide and bloomed starting in late august. I took cuttings, which I overwintered in the Greenhouse, thank goodness. I lost the main plant that winter '06. I planted 6 of the cuttings in the ground in 07 and kept 6 in pots. Of the ones in the ground only two came back in 08.
Truly spectacular deeep burgundy foliage which does not fade in the heat. Flowers are lovely, but not really the reason to grow. Gets big fast, great in containers, makes a spectacular centerpeice. Easy to root in vermiculite.

This plant is a fast grower and can split or sprawl if not supported. The branches on my plant last year were similar to blackberry canes in habit and reached over 8' long and unsupported were 5-6' tall. The foliage ranges from a bright burgundy red to a deep mahogany red depending on exposure. Japanese beetles and occasional leaf rolling caterpillars do feed on this plant but as mentioned before damage is usually not too apparent and the plant usually grows so quickly it's not a problem. Easily propagated from seeds or cuttings. Grown as an annual in my area, zone 6b. Can be overwintered as small cuttings indoors.

As a Florida native I don't typically care for hibiscus (everyone has one around here...), but Red Shield has really gained my affection. Can't wait until I can put my young plant in the ground and watch it thrive.

It has beautiful pink blooms to accent it's gorgeous red stems and leaves. Mine is currently being attacked by Japanese Beetles(?), but because of the dark foliage, the brown-edged leaves aren't too noticeable! I love it. :)

I do not grow this plant yet, but it is of note that it is one of three hibiscus out of twelve studied at the USDA ARS Southern Horticultural Laboratory that showed promise for breeding Mallows that are resistant to the Hibiscus Saw Fly which are currently on a rampage with some mallows I currently own.

I love the foliage. Just planted it, should bloom midsummer to early fall. Will have to take pics.

Taken by its interesting foliage, I bought this plant at Calloway Gardens in June 2003. Due to health problems, I simply set it in at the end of my vegetable garden bed until I could prepare a permanent place for it. It took off like a weed. I took 8-12" tip cuttings and simply placed them in the sandy soil under a laurel oak. They rooted in no time. I potted up the cuttings and kept them in the greenhouse over the winter. The mother plant (still in the vegetable garden) died back during the winter and has not yet returned, but is supposed to be hardy here in 8b.

This plant takes a lot of room if not pruned. High winds, which I have a lot of, give it a sprawling look instead of erect. The deep bronze leaves and deep crimson flowers are an eyecatcher. I did not fertilize and only occasionally watered initially. It's a low maintenance plant except for occasional pruning.