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Height: 36-48 in. (90-120 cm) 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m) 6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing: 18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness: USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade
Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: Late Summer/Early Fall
Foliage: Grown for foliage
Other details: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information: Non-patented
Propagation Methods: From woody stem cuttings From softwood cuttings From semi-hardwood cuttings
Seed Collecting: Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds Wear gloves to protect hands when handling seeds Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
I brought one home from Kauai and it did well on my backyard deck in a large pot for a few years. I moved it for more sun, then the drought caught up with it. I had planned to put it in the ground once it developed a more mature trunk and some bulk, since hibiscus generally do well here (occasional critter flare-ups aside). Lovely lantern flowers, good color contrast with the leaves. Will likely try again, though I'm going predominantly drought tolerant now.
On Jul 19, 2008, AmandaTaylor7 from Alvin, TX (Zone 9a) wrote:
This is a gorgeous plant that blooms very well for me here just south of Houston, Tx. And I don't know why it says they only get 36 inches tall on here - that's false. I have one in my backyard that is a 3rd year plant and is currently 7 1/2 feet tall and still growing. I've also read online where people have said they've grown theirs like trees and had them reach 10-12 feet in overall height.
A gorgeous, small bloom is produced from this ancestral hibiscus whose feathered petals curl backward forming a ball-shaped flower by the middle of the day. It is very stunning and hangs downward from branches on curved extensions. It is a plant that requires patience. In my experience, tons of fertilizer doesn't help the blooming, but rather leaving the plant alone is better (outside of regular watering). Came right back after being in the ground and losing all of it's leaves this past winter as well.
On May 8, 2007, timrann from Other Mauritius wrote:
This species is very popular in the tropics as in Mauritius.It is used as borders or hedges mostly and also a very good support (base)for grafting others species of hibiscus.It is also fed to animals (for e.g when the hedges are pruned). Never seen it in nurseries other than in support for other hibiscus, considered as to banal maybe.
On Jun 2, 2006, SierraTigerLily from Boca Raton, FL (Zone 10b) wrote:
I planted two behind our fountain this spring in hopes they would eventually grow tall enough to drape over the top and soften the rock lines. It's now June and they're already three feet high! Such fast growth!
One year later and they're over twelve feet tall. I'm now training them over an arbor.
On May 7, 2004, MotherNature4 from Bartow, FL (Zone 9a) wrote:
We have been growing this hibiscus in our yard for at least 20 years. It has been killed back on the rare occasions when we have a hard freeze, but it recovers quickly. The flowers are charming and dainty.
On Jun 25, 2003, fripperies from Hempstead, NY wrote:
My Hibiscus schizopetalus is my favorite houseplant. It grows in the southwest corner of a heated sunporch with skylights, on Long Island. It's about 8 ft tall, 4 ft wide, and gets pruned back to that size every fall, after spending the summer outside in full sun. It requires almost daily water in the summer.
It is a winter's delight! It blooms from November until it is pruned in September, most heavily during the dreariest months of winter. It has ordinary potting soil, is watered generously once a week, and is fed only a couple of times a year.
It's growth habit is a bit leggy, but those long arching branches are quite graceful. The leaves are smaller and lighter in color than the common Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, more like syriacus. And the flowers take your breath away.
This plant is about 20 years old, and was grown from a rooted cutting from Logee's Greenhouses in Connecticut.
I have been growing this plant as an indoor plant and I have to say that it will grow remarkably higher than the given 60-90 cm. It will reach at least 3 meters height if left unpruned.
Neutral soil, pH 5,5-7 is OK. Does fine in light shade, prefers a sunny spot on window sill. Is not very attractive, unless pruned regularly. (Looks somewhat like fishing rod...) Needs a lot of water.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Bartow, Florida Boca Raton, Florida Bradenton, Florida Jacksonville, Florida New Port Richey, Florida Odessa, Florida Saint Petersburg, Florida Seffner, Florida (2 reports) Venice, Florida Kihei, Hawaii Hempstead, New York Coos Bay, Oregon Alice, Texas Alvin, Texas Houston, Texas New Braunfels, Texas Rosenberg, Texas San Antonio, Texas Santa Fe, Texas