Hibiscus are wonderful, native plants that are sadly underused in American gardens. The hardy garden hibiscus (mallows) are sun-loving native perennials with wonderful garden potential, because of their...
Read More About Hardy Hibiscus
...huge flowers that grow up to 10" wide in a variety of bright colors. Some of the newer hardy hibiscus hybrids also have attractive purple foliage. Let's rectify this inequity and plant hibiscus in our gardens. Hardy Perennials Hibiscus pairs well with include brightly colored bog plants like canna, colocasia and crinum.
Hardy perennial hibiscus plants flower in midsummer and produce nectar for both butterflies and hummingbirds. You can plant hibiscus in almost any location as they grow equally as well in soggy soil or typical garden conditions. It is a tough, low maintenance plant which makes it perfect for rain gardens. Although hardy perennial hibiscus emerge from dormancy fairly late, they quickly grow to their mature size. We have trialed many perennial hibiscus species and hybrids, choosing the best ones to offer. When you are ready to buy hibiscus for your garden, we hope you will check out our list of hibiscus plants for sale.
Since 1988, Plant Delights Nursery has been the choice of serious gardeners and plant collectors looking for the best and rarest perennial plants. We are pleased to have received the Perennial Plant Association Retail Award in 2011, the American Horticulture Society Commercial Award in 2002, and to have been selected as one of the Best Mail Order Plant Sources - Garden Design Magazine 2010. Welcome to our family of plant lovers!
This wonderful native from NC, south and west to Texas, is one of the lesser-known of our native mallows. Hibiscus aculeatus is found in upland bogs, roadside ditches, and coastal pinelands within the Southeast. Although Hibiscus aculeatus likes moist feet, we have had very good luck growing it in raised sandy berms with regular watering. The fuzzy 4' stems are clothed with lobed, okra-like leaves. From the leaf axils, plenty of 4-5" open, cone-shaped, light yellow flowers highlighted with a dark purple eye are produced from early summer until fall...attractive to hummingbirds. Virtually everything about Hibiscus aculeatus is fuzzy...do not approach without a razor in hand. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Available 5-23-2013 This versatile native mallow is equally at home in a swamp, submerged in a garden pool, or in a perennial border. The palmate-leaved (looks like a Japanese maple) Hibiscus coccineus has 6" brilliant red flowers on nice upright plants to 8' tall...a great see-through perennial. For us, Hibiscus coccineus flowers from June through October...attractive to hummingbirds. In the winter, we leave the stalks and enjoy the ornamental seed pods...great for arranging, both in the garden and in a vase! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This Frank Galloway discovery from Baldwin Co., Alabama, is one of several white-flowered forms of our typically red-flowered southeast native Hibiscus coccineus that has been recently discovered. The 8' tall green stems emerge in spring, clothed with green marijuana-like foliage. The stalks of Hibiscus 'Swamp Angel' are adorned with five-petaled, pure white flowers from summer through fall...a hummingbird favorite. Moist soils are best, but Hibiscus coccineus can make it through an amazing amount of drought as well. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Hibiscus 'Copper Queen' is one of the newest introductions from Fleming's Flower Fields. This improved version of Hibiscus 'Kopper King' has much darker foliage which, for us, holds its reddish color all summer. The compact 4' tall Hibiscus 'Copper Queen' clump is topped all summer with huge 11" wide flowers that open light pink then change to white, highlighted by an incredible raspberry eye whose veining stretches to the edge of the petals. I can't say enough good things about this new introduction! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This superb hibiscus hybrid from Walters Gardens is one of the most stunning selections we have grown. The brilliant red, almost scarlet flowers are unlike other hardy hibiscus whose red flowers are usually based in the blue spectrum. The 4' tall stalks are topped from midsummer through early fall with 7" wide, heavily-textured flowers with nicely overlapping petals...a hummingbird hub. Moist soils are best, but this hardy hibiscus is also fairly drought-tolerant for short durations. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This 1999 hybrid from the late Fleming brothers, is a more compact version of the popular Hibiscus 'Kopper King'. Hibiscus 'Crown Jewels' boasts the same purple leaves on a compact plant to only 48" tall x 30" wide. Throughout the summer, the plants are adorned with 6", perfectly round flowers of white with a vivid dark red eye...a hummingbird favorite. This is a perfect plant for some really cool color combinations in the perennial border! As with most hibiscus, moist soils and plenty of sun give the best results. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This 1999 American idol (not to be confused with the singing one) comes from the late Fleming brothers of Nebraska. Hibiscus 'Fantasia' is a heavy-blooming hybrid that boasts large, flat, rosy-pink flowers to 9" in width. Each flower is highlighted by a darker, rosy-red center pattern...attractive to hummingbirds. The green-foliaged, compact, 3' tall plants are adorned with flowers from midsummer until early fall. If you like your flowers "a little on the tacky side," you need this new mallow! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Hibiscus 'Fireball' is a dazzling 2001 introduction from the late Fleming brothers that makes a compact 4' tall plant with fine-textured green foliage...often with a purple blush. From midsummer through early fall, the clumps are topped with brilliant, large burgundy-red flowers...a true showstopper and hummingbird favorite. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We love this awesome hibiscus with felty grey leaves (right off an Elvis picture) on 8' stalks, topped with 10" light pink flowers in late summer...a structural marvel and hummingbird favorite in the garden. Its native habitat of brackish wetlands in the Southeast US is a testament to the durability of Hibiscus grandiflorus under adverse conditions. In winter, we (and the birds) enjoy the dramatic hairy seed pods perched atop the sturdy old stalks. Who needs toilet paper by the outhouse, when you've got a couple of velvet mallows? Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This exciting 1997 hybrid from Nebraska's famous Fleming brothers represents the culmination of 50 years of breeding. Hibiscus 'Kopper King' has stunning, dark purple foliage on a stocky 4' tall clump. From midsummer until early fall, the clumps are topped with giant, 1' wide, light pink flowers with a dark red eye and dramatic red veining...a huge hummingbird magnet. Designers should have a ball with this new mallow. For greatest foliage coloration, full sun exposure is best along with slightly moist soil. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This little-known deciduous mallow is the Japanese kissin' cousin of the Chinese Hibiscus mutabilis. For us, Hibiscus makinoi never reaches more than 7' tall, although in its native Kyushu and Ryoku Islands, it can reach 15' tall. In NC, it dies to the ground each winter, regrowing into a widely-branched plant clothed with large, fuzzy, green maple-like leaves and adorned, starting in early October, with dark pink buds that open to 4-5", large, very light pink flowers...attractive to hummingbirds. An extract from this renaissance plant is found in anti-aging creams since it triggers the creation of estrogen. Growing them in the garden sure makes me feel young! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Available 5-23-2013 Hibiscus 'Midnight Marvel' is the latest advance in the changing world of hardy native hibiscus. Hibiscus 'Midnight Marvel' comes from our friends at Walters Gardens and has the darkest purple foliage that we've seen on a hardy hibiscus. Combine this amazing foliage with 8" wide fire engine red flowers from June through September and you've got what we affectionately term a "wow" plant. Hibiscus 'Midnight Marvel' makes a 5'+ tall specimen that prefers moist soils but adapts well to all but the driest of garden conditions. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Florida plantsman, Alani Davis, shared this little known form of the widespread US native Hibiscus moscheutos that hails from Lake Iamonia in Leon County, Florida. In our garden, Hibiscus moscheutos var. incanus has been so impressive that we simply had to share it with others. The 5' tall stalks are clothed with velvety silver leaves and topped all summer with funnel-shaped white flowers, each highlighted with a maroon throat. Because of the leaf hairs, hibiscus sawfly larvae haven't touched it. Despite its wetland heritage, we grow it on a dry, non-irrigated, sandy bank where it thrives. Taxonomists who synonymize this with typical Hibiscus moscheutos have simply been sniffing too many herbarium mothballs. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
From the late Dr. Moy at the San Antonio Botanical Garden comes this giant-flowered mallow hybrid that took Texas by storm. Hibiscus 'Moy Grande' certainly boasts one of the largest flowers we have seen on a hardy hibiscus, reaching sizes in excess of 1' across when grown in rich moist soils...what else could you expect from Texas, but BIG? Dozens of the giant, bright blue-red flowers adorn the 5' tall x 5' wide clump each day from midsummer until early fall...a hummingbird favorite. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
From China comes a wonderful hibiscus that's virtually unknown outside of China and the Gulf Coast region of the US. Hibiscus mutabilis emerges from dormancy and shoots 10' into the air. The foliage of confederate rose mallow is quite bold, with soft, fuzzy green leaves up and down the stems...great for structure and texture even without flowers. The flowers emerge in late October and November, resembling giant, double rosy-pink camellias...holy cow! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This is a selection of the true Hibiscus paramutabilis that we made from wild collected seed from 3,000' elevation on China's Mt. Heng. This woody hibiscus (a deciduous perennial with mid-single digits F) makes a 10' tall shrub adorned with very fuzzy, medium green, maple-shaped leaves, topped from late summer through fall with 4" cup-shaped flowers of pure white with a bright cranberry-red central blotch...attractive to hummingbirds. We recommend cutting the plant to the ground each spring so someone other than airplane pilots can see the flowers. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This amazing introduction from Texan Greg Grant is topped all summer with huge 9" flowers which emerge light pink and age to white, except for the wild red flecking throughout the petals...attractive to hummingbirds. Hibiscus 'Peppermint Flare' is a floral sport from Sam McFadden's University of Florida release, the nearly sterile hybrid Hibiscus 'Flare'. Our plants have matured out at 4' tall x 4' wide. Hibiscus 'Peppermint Flare' is very tolerant of alkaline soils...as long as they aren't too dry. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Hibiscus 'Pink Comet' is the latest release in a series of breeding breakthroughs for which the late Fleming Brothers were known. Hibiscus 'Pink Comet' represents the commingling of genes from the hardy native hibiscus with the colorful tropical hybrids. The 30" tall plants are clothed with glossy, corrugated green leaves and adorned with wild 10" wide pink flowers, each flecked with red from early summer until fall...a hummingbird favorite. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This 1999 Fleming Brothers' hybrid mallow was obviously named after the brothers themselves...guess you had to be there. Hibiscus 'Plum Crazy' is prized for the purple/green, three-lobed leaves that adorn the compact, 4' tall clumps. From midsummer until early fall, the clumps are topped with cone-shaped, 7" wide, plum-colored flowers, each with darker purple venation and a very dark eye highlighting the center...very, very cool, especially when fanned by the hummingbird wings! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Hibiscus 'Raspberry Rose' is the plant that stops everyone in their tracks during our Summer Open House. Hibiscus 'Raspberry Rose' has also been a favorite of ours for years due to its sheer abundance of 10" bright raspberry-red flowers. We grow quite a few hibiscus, and none come anywhere close to producing as many flowers...a hummingbird delight. Each clump can get quite large, to 7' tall x 10' across, so allow plenty of room. Remember that nine out of ten hibiscus surveyed prefer rich, moist soils...this is one of the nine. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
