Red Hibiscus

Red Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus 'Rubra') is the burgundy leaved form of the coastal cottonwood, a fast growing native for the toughest seaside positions. It reaches about 7m tall and 5m wide, so treat it as a tree or a large pruned screen rather than a shrub.

Why you'll love it

• Front line coastal toughness. Salt spray, sea wind and sandy soil are its habitat. It grows on the beachfront where most trees give up.
• Burgundy foliage all year. The broad leaves hold their colour year round, so the canopy is a feature even out of flower.
• Flowers that change by the hour. Each bloom opens yellow in the morning and deepens through apricot to red by evening, drawing nectar feeding birds.
• Cover in a hurry. Genuinely fast growing, and one of the quickest ways to put privacy on a bare coastal boundary.

Where it works best

Coastal screening and windbreaks. Plant 3m apart for a screen. It filters wind rather than fighting it, which makes it the workhorse boundary tree of beach suburbs.

Shade and feature planting. Left unpruned it builds a broad canopy of real summer shade. At 7m by 5m it needs room, so keep it out of small courtyards.

Damp and difficult corners. Tolerance of wet feet makes it a rare option for heavy, poorly drained ground.

Growing Red Hibiscus in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the deepest leaf colour. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, and is frost tender, so districts with regular frost should look elsewhere. Humidity is no problem.

Soil. Sand, loam or heavy clay all work, and unlike most trees it forgives ground that sits wet for spells. Plant, mulch and leave the soil as you found it.

Water and feed. Water deeply through the first summer. After that coastal rain generally carries it. Controlled release fertiliser in spring pushes denser growth on young screens.

Pruning. Decide early whether it is a tree or a screen. For a screen, prune after the main warm season flush to hold height and keep the face dense.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Red Hibiscus in 200mm pots in packs of six for screening runs, in 300mm and 30L, and as advanced 45L, 100L and 200L trees. Smaller pots travel boxed and upright, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Orders are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. In warm weather expect new growth within three to four weeks of planting. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse plants proven in coastal gardens
• Compare hedging and screening plants
• More trees and shrubs for windbreaks
• Explore our Australian native range

Common questions

Why is it called Red Hibiscus when the flowers open yellow?

The red is in the foliage, which stays burgundy year round. The flowers add to it, ageing from yellow through apricot to red before they drop.

How fast will it screen?

Fast. In a warm, frost free garden with water behind it, it is among the quickest screens we sell. Larger sizes shorten the wait.

Can I hold it at 3m to 4m?

Yes, with commitment. Prune at least once a year after the main flush. Skip a couple of years and you will be reminded it wants to be a 7m tree.

Will it cope with boggy ground?

Yes. It tolerates wet feet, which is unusual among screening trees. If the ground stays soggy most of winter, plant it slightly raised.