Sea Hibiscus

Sea Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus) is an Australian native that grows where most trees give up: salt laden wind, high humidity, and ground that stays wet after rain. In a garden it reaches about 8m tall with a broad crown near 6m across, and it gets there fast. Large heart shaped leaves stay on all year, and the flowers open lemon yellow and age to orange red by evening, so one tree shows two colours at once.

Why you'll love it

• Built for the coast. Salt tolerant, wind tolerant and comfortable in humidity, so a beach block does not burn or shred it.
• It handles wet feet. One of the few useful trees for low ground, a soggy back corner or the edge of a dam.
• Fast shade. Quick growing with a wide, low branching crown, so a bare block gets usable shade in a few seasons.
• Flowers that change through the day. Yellow at sunrise, orange red by dusk, over a long warm season, and the tree brings birds in.
• Australian native. Indigenous to northern Australia and the Pacific.

Where it works best

Screening and privacy. Plant 3m apart for a dense coastal screen. At that spacing the crowns knit into a continuous wall of foliage, and the tree takes cutting back to hold the height.

Windbreaks on exposed blocks. A staggered double row at 3m spacing filters wind rather than stopping it dead, which is what an exposed property needs. Put it on the windward side.

Shade and feature planting. As a single tree, allow the full 6m spread. Keep it away from pools and paving, because the leaf and flower drop is constant.

Growing sea hibiscus in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the heaviest flowering, and it takes part shade with a looser habit. This is a frost tender tropical, subtropical and warm temperate tree, so cool inland and hard frosting southern gardens should choose something else.

Soil. Genuinely unfussy. It grows in coastal sand, in heavy soil and in ground that holds water, which is unusual and worth using. No mounding on clay.

Water and feed. Water twice a week through the first summer to get it away, then it looks after itself. A light general purpose fertiliser each spring is enough, since heavy feeding makes more growth to prune.

Pruning. It takes hard pruning without complaint, which is what makes it workable as a screen. Trim in late winter to control height and spread. Branches resting on the ground can root, so lift the lower limbs for a clean trunk.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in six sizes. Tube stock and the 200mm pack of six are the economical way to plant a long screen or shelter belt, and because the tree grows quickly they catch up fast. The 300mm and 45L plants are the middle ground for a garden specimen, while the 100L and 200L sizes arrive as substantial trees with a formed crown.

Plants are packed to travel upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Expect a quiet fortnight, then strong new growth within four to six weeks. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse salt tolerant plants for coastal gardens
• A guide to planting a coastal garden
• Plants that stand up to wind
• Compare hedging and screening plants

Common questions

How fast does it grow?

Fast. In a warm coastal garden with summer rain it puts on well over a metre a year once the roots are away, which is why it is a common choice for covering a new block.

How far apart should I plant it for a screen?

3m apart in a single row for a dense coastal screen, or a staggered double row at the same spacing if you are filtering wind across an exposed property.

Will it cope with soil that stays wet?

Yes, better than almost any other tree of its size. It tolerates wet feet and grows naturally on tidal margins, so a low damp corner suits it.