Hibiscus, the fascinating flowering tropical plant, had its origin in Asia. It has spread to several parts of the world and is among the most popular garden plants. Hibiscus are also grown for landscaping and as hedges. Today, there are thousands of known varieties of the shrub. Many are hybrids. New types are still being discovered, bred and recorded. Sizes differ from less than 12 inches tall (Hibiscus trionum) to about 40 feet (Lagunaria patersonii). The life span of tropical hibiscus can be up to 50 years. In comparison, the hybrids have a shorter existence, approximately 10 to 15 years.
In the tropics, Hibiscus can be found thriving in the most difficult and desolate terrain. Some plants are dense and bushy, while others are thin and tall. The biggest attraction of the Hibiscus plant is the flower. Hibiscus come in many colors and sizes, and in areas where the temperature is above 70 degrees, it flowers throughout the year.
The leaves are normally elongated or oval shaped and about two to four inches in length. Usually the color of the leaves is dull green, glossy dark green or with a reddish tint.
The many medicinal, cosmetic and gastronomic properties of the Hibiscus go back to ancient times. Modern research has confirmed these properties and continues to reveal new ones. All parts of the plant are considered edible.
Propagation of Hibiscus can be made through cuttings or grafting or by germinating the seeds. Saplings and seeds are available from nurseries and florists. Seed germinated plants are unlikely to have the same characteristics as the parent plant because the pollination may not be from the same source. In fact, it is possible that a packet you buy may contain seeds from different parents and could grow into plants that vary in characteristics. If you have one Hibiscus plant, by using cuttings from that plant, a number of similar plants can be grown.
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Hibiscus
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Hibiscus, sometimes called the queen of shrubs, was originally a native of Asia. It was then carried to the Polynesian Islands, the West Indies and finally to Florida. The Americans were apparently enamored by the splendor of its fascinating flowers that bloom in numerous colors,...
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Hardy Hibiscus
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Pink Hibiscus
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Pink Hibiscus, the state flower of Hawaii, is a beautiful bloom. This perennial favorite comes in different shapes and sizes. They have single and double petals and vary in size from small to ten or twelve inches in height. The “Lady Baltimore” varieties cost about...
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Growing Hibiscus
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Before growing Hibiscus, a fair amount of planning is required. Do you want to grow them in your garden, use them for landscaping or hedging or keep them pots that can be kept indoors or out? What size and type of plant do you want?...
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Hibiscus Care
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Hibiscus care depends on the type of plant. Some do not require much attention once they stabilize. The care should start with good planting materials. Use only quality cuttings or saplings obtained from reliable sources. For best results, the area selected for planting should have...
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Hibiscus Tea
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The use of Hibiscus tea is thought to have started in ancient Egypt. In the Arab world, the tea is known as “karkady” or “karkade.” Made from the flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa, this drink is served in homes and restaurants, particularly in Egypt. It is...
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Hibiscus Flowers
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When Hibiscus flowers are mentioned, many visualize the exotic red blossom pinned in the hair of a woman. The Hibiscus – one of the most beautiful flowers in the world – comes in numerous colors, shapes and sizes. Some have single petals, others double or...
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Orchids
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There are around 33,000 known species and over 200,000 hybrids of orchids on this planet. Named after the Greek word ‘orchis’, orchids originated in the tropical and the semi-tropical regions of Asia, South and Central America and the U.K. These beautiful flowers can easily last...
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Carnivorous Plants
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Animals are attracted to carnivorous plants. These plants capture and kill the animals and suck the nutrients from them. There are even some non-carnivorous plants that may exhibit some of the qualities of the carnivorous group. However, they do not qualify as carnivorous plants if...