Hibiscus coccineus

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Half Hardy

Hibiscus coccineus

Post by Half Hardy »

Hi, is anyone growing hibiscus coccineus? From what I have read on t'internet it sounds too good to be true.
Large bright red tropical looking flowers,hardy to -20*c,loves damp conditions,has palmate leaves....Where's the catch?
Why isn't it for sale in every garden centre in the country? I have just ordered some seed,so if anyone has any experience,It would be nice to hear from you.

Here's a pic. from wikipedia.
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RozDevon

Re: Hibiscus coccineus

Post by RozDevon »

That does look good. Wonder where thats been hiding?
Good luck with the seed and let us know how it gets on.
otorongo
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Re: Hibiscus coccineus

Post by otorongo »

http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk/forum/v ... f=1&t=2522

It's herbaceous and apparently needs summer heat to flower.
Nathan

Re: Hibiscus coccineus

Post by Nathan »

I grew some from seed too & while they may be able to take ridiculously low temperatures, they are one of those annoying plants that also need high summer temperatures to grow well & flower, much higher than in the UK icon_thumbdown
Half Hardy

Re: Hibiscus coccineus

Post by Half Hardy »

otorongo wrote:http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk/forum/v ... f=1&t=2522

It's herbaceous and apparently needs summer heat to flower.
Thanks for the link icon_thumleft
Summer heat icon_sunny so there's the catch. If I get them to germinate,I'll probably treat them like gingers,ensete and brugs. I.e keep them in a pot in the greenhouse until about mid june.Could be worth building a temporary cloche round them,if planted out.
There's a nice white variety called alba as well (worth a google image search).
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Dave Brown
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Re: Hibiscus coccineus

Post by Dave Brown »

We had quite a discussion on them in the past. http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk/forum/v ... 123&t=5135

Completely hardy and had plants in a bucket of water/ice over winter. Needs a soil temp of over 21C to bring them out of dormancy. Needs a hot summer or runs out of time here and cold of autumn causes buds to drop.
Best regards
Dave
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Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Alexander

Re: Hibiscus coccineus

Post by Alexander »

A nice plant for an unheated polytunnel. I grow it here.

Alexander
Exotic Life

Re: Hibiscus coccineus

Post by Exotic Life »

Grow them as well here and they have been flowering every year, mostly late in the season because like the other people said they need heat.
Alexander

Re: Hibiscus coccineus

Post by Alexander »

You can get them into flower outside when you are living in just a bit warmer area and with a good warm microclimate in the garden.

Alexander
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