About Our Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a diverse group of flowering plants prized for its large, showy blooms, bold summer color, heat tolerance, and strong visual impact in the landscape.
Outdoor Warehouse Supply carries several different types of Hibiscus, ranging from hardy herbaceous perennials to large deciduous flowering shrubs and tropical selections.
Our assortment commonly includes Rose Mallow, Texas Star Hibiscus, Tropical Hibiscus, Head Over Heels selections, Purple Pillar Rose of Sharon, Chateau de Chantilly Rose of Sharon, and other assorted Hibiscus varieties depending on current inventory.
Because these plants belong to different Hibiscus species and cultivar groups, mature size, winter hardiness, watering requirements, and growth habit can vary significantly.
| Plant Details | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Hibiscus |
| Botanical Group | Hibiscus spp. and cultivars |
| Plant Type | Flowering perennial, shrub, or tropical plant depending on variety |
| Availability | Assorted varieties; inventory varies |
| Typical Mature Height | Approximately 2 feet to 16+ feet depending on variety |
| Typical Mature Spread | Approximately 2–8+ feet depending on variety |
| Growth Habit | Clumping, upright, rounded, spreading, or columnar depending on variety |
| Sun Exposure | Primarily full sun; some selections tolerate partial sun |
| Water Requirements | Moderate to high depending on type |
| Soil Preference | Generally fertile, well-drained soil; some hardy types tolerate wetter conditions |
| Flower Colors | Red, pink, white, purple, lavender, and other colors depending on cultivar |
| Bloom Season | Primarily summer into fall |
| Pollinator Value | Attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators |
| Common Uses | Specimen plants, flowering borders, foundation beds, screens, pollinator gardens, containers, and mass plantings |
Exact mature size, hardiness, flower color, and winter behavior depend heavily on the specific Hibiscus species and cultivar.
Hibiscus Varieties We Commonly Carry
Rose Mallow Hibiscus
Rose Mallow generally refers to hardy perennial Hibiscus, commonly including selections related to Hibiscus moscheutos.
These plants are known for very large flowers, strong summer growth, and herbaceous perennial behavior.
They typically die back to the ground during winter and return from the crown in spring.
Many Rose Mallow varieties perform best in full sun with consistent moisture.
Texas Star Hibiscus
Texas Star Hibiscus is Hibiscus coccineus, a tall herbaceous perennial known for its distinctive deeply divided, star-shaped foliage and bright red flowers. UF/IFAS lists it as roughly 4–8 feet tall with a 3–4 foot spread, while Texas sources commonly describe it as a tall perennial that dies back in winter and regrows in spring.
Texas Star works especially well in:
- Pollinator gardens
- Large perennial beds
- Moist sunny areas
- Back-of-border plantings
- Naturalistic landscapes
Tropical Hibiscus
Tropical Hibiscus is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.
This is the plant most closely associated with the classic tropical Hibiscus look: large colorful flowers, glossy foliage, and warm-weather growth.
Unlike hardy Hibiscus, Tropical Hibiscus is cold sensitive and should not be treated as reliably winter-hardy in North Texas.
It works particularly well in:
- Containers
- Patios
- Poolside landscapes
- Seasonal color displays
- Tropical-style gardens
Head Over Heels Hibiscus
Head Over Heels® is a group of compact hardy Hibiscus bred from Hibiscus moscheutos.
Selections in the series produce large flowers and dark or burgundy-toned foliage, while maintaining a more compact landscape form than many traditional hardy Hibiscus.
Head Over Heels cultivars commonly stay in the roughly 2–4 foot range, depending on the specific selection.
Purple Pillar Rose of Sharon
Purple Pillar® is Hibiscus syriacus, commonly known as Rose of Sharon.
It has a distinctive narrow, columnar growth habit, reaching approximately 10–16 feet tall while staying only about 4–5 feet wide.
Its lavender-purple flowers with darker centers appear along the upright stems during summer.
Purple Pillar is especially useful where customers want:
- A narrow flowering screen
- Vertical landscape interest
- Summer color in a confined space
- A flowering hedge or specimen shrub
Chateau de Chantilly Rose of Sharon
Chateau de Chantilly is another Hibiscus syriacus Rose of Sharon selection.
It develops as a deciduous flowering shrub and is used for screens, hedges, borders, and specimen plantings.
Its larger shrub form makes it considerably different from compact perennial Hibiscus such as Head Over Heels.
Other Assorted Hibiscus
Outdoor Warehouse Supply may also carry additional selections such as:
- Pink-flowering Proven Winners selections
- Standard Hibiscus varieties
- Additional hardy Hibiscus
- Additional Rose of Sharon cultivars
Exact cultivar availability can change with inventory and the season.
Growth Habit & Mature Size
Hibiscus size varies dramatically depending on type.
| Hibiscus Type | Approximate Mature Size | General Habit |
|---|---|---|
| Compact Hardy Hibiscus / Head Over Heels | ~2–4 ft. | Dense, clumping perennial |
| Rose Mallow | ~3–5+ ft. | Upright herbaceous perennial |
| Texas Star | ~4–8 ft. | Tall, upright perennial |
| Tropical Hibiscus | Often ~3–8+ ft. depending on conditions | Upright tropical shrub |
| Purple Pillar Rose of Sharon | ~10–16 ft. H × 4–5 ft. W | Narrow, columnar shrub |
| Chateau de Chantilly Rose of Sharon | Large flowering shrub | Upright to vase-shaped |
This is why customers should select Hibiscus by specific variety, rather than assuming every Hibiscus will behave the same way.
Plant Spacing & Common Planting Patterns
Spacing depends entirely on mature size.
Compact perennial Hibiscus may need only a few feet of space, while larger Rose of Sharon cultivars require substantially more room.
Common uses include:
- Pollinator gardens
- Foundation beds
- Flowering borders
- Specimen plantings
- Privacy screens
- Poolside landscapes
- Containers
- Mass plantings
- Cottage-style gardens
Sun, Soil & Water Requirements
Most Hibiscus performs best in full sun.
Strong sunlight generally produces the best flowering.
Water requirements vary significantly.
Hardy Hibiscus & Rose Mallow
Hardy Hibiscus generally appreciates consistent moisture, and many types tolerate wetter soil better than drought-oriented landscape plants.
Tropical Hibiscus
Tropical Hibiscus prefers regular irrigation during active growth but still needs good drainage.
Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon is generally more adaptable once established and can tolerate somewhat drier conditions than many herbaceous Hibiscus.
Are Hibiscus Evergreen or Deciduous?
It depends entirely on the type.
Hardy Hibiscus and Rose Mallow: Herbaceous perennials that generally die back to the ground during winter.
Rose of Sharon: Deciduous woody shrubs that lose their leaves in winter.
Tropical Hibiscus: Evergreen in warm tropical climates but cold sensitive in North Texas.
That distinction is one of the most important things customers should understand when selecting a Hibiscus.
Growth Rate & Lifespan
Most Hibiscus varieties grow relatively quickly during warm weather.
Hardy perennial types can produce substantial new growth each spring even after dying back completely during winter.
Rose of Sharon develops permanent woody structure and can remain in the landscape for many years.
Tropical Hibiscus can also be long-lived where protected from freezing temperatures.
Flowers & Seasonal Interest
Hibiscus is primarily grown for its flowers.
Depending on the cultivar, blooms may be:
- Red
- Pink
- White
- Lavender
- Purple
- Bi-colored
- Dark-eyed or veined
Hardy Hibiscus varieties are particularly well known for producing very large flowers, while Rose of Sharon generally produces smaller but abundant blooms over a long summer season.
Hibiscus for Pollinator Gardens
Many Hibiscus varieties provide strong pollinator value.
Flowers can attract:
- Hummingbirds
- Butterflies
- Bees
- Other beneficial pollinating insects
Texas Star Hibiscus in particular is commonly used as a nectar plant in pollinator-focused landscapes.
Pruning & Seasonal Care
Pruning depends on the type of Hibiscus.
Hardy Hibiscus can be cut back after dormancy because new stems emerge from the crown.
Rose of Sharon develops woody stems and is typically pruned during late winter or early spring if size or shape correction is needed. Proven Winners recommends late winter or early spring for Rose of Sharon pruning.
Tropical Hibiscus may be lightly pruned to encourage branching and maintain shape.
Pros & Cons of Hibiscus
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large, dramatic flowers | Care requirements vary greatly by type |
| Strong summer color | Tropical types are cold sensitive |
| Excellent hummingbird and pollinator value | Hardy types can disappear completely in winter |
| Compact and large varieties available | Some selections require significant space |
| Options for containers, borders, and screens | Consistent moisture is important for many varieties |
| Strong heat tolerance on many selections | Customers need to know the specific cultivar |
| Multiple flower colors available | Winter behavior varies significantly |
| Many varieties provide long flowering periods | Exact availability changes with inventory |
Hibiscus in Dallas–Fort Worth Landscapes
Hibiscus can be extremely effective in Dallas–Fort Worth landscapes, but choosing the correct type is important.
Hardy varieties such as Rose Mallow, Texas Star, and Head Over Heels can return after winter dormancy and provide dramatic summer flowers.
Rose of Sharon varieties such as Purple Pillar and Chateau de Chantilly develop into permanent deciduous shrubs and are better suited for screens, specimens, and larger foundation plantings. Purple Pillar is particularly distinctive because of its narrow columnar form.
Tropical Hibiscus provides the strongest tropical appearance but should be treated as cold sensitive in North Texas.
Outdoor Warehouse Supply carries multiple Hibiscus varieties, with exact selections changing according to current inventory.
Customers can contact our Plano or Lewisville sales staff for current varieties and quantities.
Industry Contractor & Wholesale Pricing
Outdoor Warehouse Supply offers industry contractor and wholesale pricing for qualifying landscape professionals, builders, property managers, and commercial customers.
Contractors can source Hibiscus alongside flowering perennials, shrubs, trees, ornamental grasses, soils, mulch, decorative rock, and other landscape materials for projects throughout Dallas–Fort Worth and North Texas.
Contact our Plano or Lewisville locations for current Hibiscus varieties, quantities, and contractor pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Hibiscus varieties does Outdoor Warehouse Supply carry?
Outdoor Warehouse Supply commonly carries Rose Mallow, Texas Star Hibiscus, Tropical Hibiscus, Head Over Heels selections, Purple Pillar Rose of Sharon, Chateau de Chantilly Rose of Sharon, and other assorted Hibiscus varieties.
Exact inventory may change.
Are all Hibiscus plants Hibiscus rosa-sinensis?
No.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is Tropical Hibiscus.
Other Hibiscus sold by Outdoor Warehouse Supply may belong to species such as Hibiscus moscheutos, Hibiscus coccineus,* or *Hibiscus syriacus.
What is Texas Star Hibiscus?
Texas Star is Hibiscus coccineus, a tall herbaceous perennial with deeply divided foliage and red flowers.
What is the difference between Tropical Hibiscus and Hardy Hibiscus?
Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is cold sensitive.
Hardy Hibiscus such as Rose Mallow and Texas Star die back during winter but can return from their roots in spring.
What is Rose of Sharon?
Rose of Sharon is Hibiscus syriacus, a deciduous woody flowering shrub.
Purple Pillar and Chateau de Chantilly are examples of Rose of Sharon selections.
How big do Hibiscus plants get?
Depending on variety, Hibiscus can range from compact plants around 2–3 feet tall to large shrubs exceeding 10 feet.
Purple Pillar, for example, can reach approximately 10–16 feet tall while remaining only 4–5 feet wide.
Does Hibiscus need full sun?
Most varieties perform best in full sun.
Some tolerate partial sun, but flowering generally improves with adequate sunlight.
Do Hibiscus plants attract hummingbirds?
Yes. Many Hibiscus varieties produce flowers that attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Does Hibiscus die back in winter?
Hardy herbaceous Hibiscus generally does.
Rose of Sharon loses its leaves but retains woody stems.
Tropical Hibiscus may suffer severe cold damage and is not reliably winter-hardy outdoors in North Texas.
Can Hibiscus grow in containers?
Yes.
Compact hardy Hibiscus and Tropical Hibiscus can both perform well in appropriately sized containers.
Which Hibiscus works well in narrow spaces?
Purple Pillar Rose of Sharon is specifically bred with a narrow columnar form, reaching only about 4–5 feet wide despite growing much taller.
Which Hibiscus have the largest flowers?
Hardy Rose Mallow types, particularly Hibiscus moscheutos cultivars such as Head Over Heels, are known for exceptionally large blooms.
