Types

• There are several varieties of hibiscus. Native to Africa, the Hibuscus sabdarriffa, a shrub plant, grows approximately 8 feet tall, whereas the South Asian Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ranges in size from herbs to small trees. There are also a number of sub-categories such as moscheutos, laevis and coccineus that are native to North America.
  
  

Features

• Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is a large shrub or a small tree. Its multi-colored flowers are 6 inches in diameter. Hibiscus sabdariffa, or roselle, is a shrub with reddish-purple stems and 3-inch yellow flowers. Hibiscus laevis produces large pink flowers, while hibiscus coccineus, or scarlet hibiscus, has deep red, five-petaled blooms. Moscheutos has showy pink or white blossoms.
  
  

Considerations

• Hibiscus rosa-sinensis thrives in south Texas and southern Florida and as a summer plant in colder areas. Sabdariffa grows in USDA zones 8 to 11 and as a perennial up to zone 6. Laevis is viable in zones 4 to 9. Coccineus is hardy in zones 7 to 11, while moscheutos thrives in zones 5 to 10.