September 2024

Red Shield hibiscus is a fascinating plant in anyone’s garden. This hibiscus is grown for its burgundy red foliage not for its small inconspicuous flowers. This tropical hibiscus is a tender perennial subshrub that is native to East Africa. It is a perennial for gardeners in Southern Arkansas to the coastal region. For us in the Ozark region, Red Shield hibiscus will be grown like any other summer annual flower — plant in the spring and cleanup after the frost.

What makes this plant a standout in our home gardens is that it is a tough plant with no known pest problem. Here at BGO, we purchased seeds and planted them in our greenhouse in March. Seed trays were placed on heating mats with temperature set at 70 degrees F. Young seedlings grew rapidly and were outgrowing their containers so we decided to trim them and try our luck in rooting them in our propagation bed. We had 100% rooting and soon our 25 seedlings turned into 150.

Growing 3 to 5 feet and 3 feet wide, Red Shield hibiscus performs best in full sun and will perform best in moist but not wet soil. Its growth habit is somewhat sparse and leggy, so plant densely or pinch back tips to encourage fuller growth. While it will not survive an Ozark winter, you can take cuttings in early October and keep them as a houseplant throughout the colder months.

Here at BGO you will find this hibiscus in mass planting in the back of a border and interspersed with lime green leaves and next to some ornamental grasses which creates contrast and interest in the garden. They can also be planted as an annual specimen plant, in containers, or used as a seasonal hedge.

Come visit your Botanical Garden before mid-October to see this spectacular annual in full glory!

Berni Kurz, Director of Horticulture

Botanical Garden of the Ozarks