Tall Chinese deciduous shrub or small tree with large maple-like leaves and rosette-double flowers that open white in the morning, age through pink during the day, and close deep red at dusk.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 7–11 | −17.8 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H4 | −10 °C to −5 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 8–9 | −7 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 3–7 | −5 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Native to southern China, naturalised across the southeastern US and other warm-temperate regions
- Single flowers complete the white-to-red colour change in a single day — the source of the species name "mutabilis" (changing)
- Distinct from the other hibiscus species in the database (rose-sinensis, sabdariffa, cannabinus kenaf, tiliaceus sea hibiscus, syriacus implicit, mutabilis here)
- Cut back hard in spring for compact growth and abundant flowering
Categories
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