Hibiscus flowers are edible.
Hibiscus, the state flower of Hawaii, is an easy-to-grow, hardy perennial that does well in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 6 through 10. A fast-growing shrub or small tree, hibiscus presents an abundance of brilliantly colored, 2- to 14-inch-wide flowers from midsummer through autumn. Hibiscus does well planted in a container. If you live in a colder climate, bring the plant indoors at the first threat of frost. Although some varieties of hibiscus are cold-tolerant, the majority of hibiscus cultivars cannot tolerate freezing weather.
Red Flower Hibiscus
Hibiscus flowers are trumpet-shaped blossoms ranging from 2 to 12 inches wide. They come in virtually every color of the rainbow. The giant red hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) exhibits vivid red flowers up to 12 inches wide. Hibiscus flowers open in the morning and only last for one day. After blooming, they die. Spent flowers wither and fade, taking several days to abscise from the plant. Groom your plant daily, removing spent blooms to encourage new floral production. A red hibiscus with broad, flat flowers, "Living Legend" is a hardy cultivar that presents brilliant red 10-inch blooms. Unlike the majority of hibiscus plants that loose their blooms after just one day, Living Legend flowers last for several days. The hybrid "Bridal Path" exhibits 8- to 10-inch red ruffled flowers with an orange or yellow edge. This plant reaches a height of 6 to 8 feet at maturity.
Yellow/Orange Hibiscus
Yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus aculeatus) provides brilliant color and visual interest planted in containers in entryways or patios. Yellow hibiscus is also a gardening favorite for borders, hedges and foundation planting. There are literally dozens of cultivars of yellow hibiscus. "Rainbow Sherbet" is a large yellow hibiscus with a deep red center. The flowers are from 7 to 9 inches wide. "Daisy Mae" presents 6 to 8 inch vivid yellow flowers with a deep red eye. "Eye of Kali" displays a 7- to 9-inch, brilliant yellow flower with red and pink shading in the center of the flower. "Hilo Island," a yellow and white flowered variety, has one of the most fragrant of all hibiscus. "Magic Moments" displays a deep orange ruffled flower that grows 8 to 10 inches in diameter.
White/Pink Flowered Hibiscus
Hibiscus "Elephant Ear" exhibits huge ivory flowers while "Kopper King" presents white flowers with pink shading that grow larger than dinner plates. The flowers are 12 inches or wider. The leaves of the vigorous performer are a deep, coppery green. "Flamingo Pink." "Kona" and "Mary Morgan" present double or ruffled pink flowers. "Minerva" displays a rose pink flower and "'Lady Baltimore" exhibits 6 to 10 inch wide bright pink flowers with a bold red center. Plant hibiscus shrubs in a location with full sun or very light shade. If your plant receives too little sun, it will produce an abundance of lush foliage and few flowers.
Blue/Lavender Hibiscus
Hibiscus syriacus, also known as rose of Sharon, includes many different varieties, hybrids and cultivars of blue, lavender and dark purple hibiscus. Flowers may be from 3 to 9 inches wide. Blue hibiscus (Alyogyne huegelii) is a member of the hibiscus family found in parts of Australia; it can be planted and pruned to form dense hedges or background borders. "Ardens," "Bluebird" and "Winter Lights" offer lavender blooms; Winter Lights' broad, 6- to 8-inch flowers have red shading it their centers. Hibiscus trees will flourish and present a spectacular display of summer blooms if provided with a nutrient rich, well-drained soil. A sandy loam is best.
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