#491 Hibiscus coccineus Common Names: scarlet hibiscus, scarlet rose mallow Family: Malvaceae (mallow Family) Get link to this Profile or click for data record #491 e-mail this page

The spectacular scarlet hibiscus flower color coordinates pleasingly with red tinged stems and leaves. Click here to download a large version (800x600) of this image.

Location
The scarlet hibiscus occurs naturally in swamps, marshes and ditches, from southern Georgia and Alabama to central Florida. It is often encountered along southern rivers and streams where it towers above the maidencane and pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata).

Culture
Light: Does best in full sun.
Moisture: Likes a moist soil and can tolerate flooding. Established plants will survive in normal soils without supplementary watering, but they need to be watered during dry spells if you want them to flower.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 7 - 11
Propagation: By seeds or root division. Seeds should be punctured with a needle or scraped with a file before planting.

Usage
The scarlet hibiscus makes an eye-catching specimen in the landscape with its huge crimson flowers and handsome palmate leaves. Plant them next to a pond or water garden, or at the back of a bed where their elegant leaves and brilliant flowers will attract the eye.

Features
The scarlet hibiscus is one of the largest and most beautiful of North American native flowers. Like the chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus), the scarlet hibiscus often causes people to do a double take as it resembles marijuana (Cannabis spp.). The resemblance quickly ends when the plant bursts forth with its humongous flowers in late summer!

Steve Christman 08/18/97; Updated js 07/05/98, sc 12/5/99, 8/16/02, 10/11/03, 7/10/04

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