More flowers, bigger blooms, and increased flower longevity. Tropical hibiscus is the summer’s biggest, boldest flower that keeps getting better through breeding.
Tropical hibiscus comes in many colors, flower sizes/types (single, double, frilly edged), and bush shapes. But tropical hibiscus are evolving into better plants every year. That’s because Costa Farms is working with hibiscus breeders who specialize in improving the genetics within the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis family, bringing you a better hibiscus – one that will excel on patios, decks, and gardens all summer long.
So what makes a better hibiscus? Here are some of the new characteristics that are being bred into Costa Farms' tropical hibiscus.
Longer-lasting flowers
Everyone agrees that bloom longevity is a coveted trait. Old-school hibiscus flowers generally last a day. But new breeding allows flowers that blossom in cooler areas to bloom for up to three days. That means that you’ll see longer spring and autumn blooming in hotter climates and multiple-day bloom longevity in cooler areas.
More flowers
More is better, right? And new varieties of hibiscus have more flowers per shrub than older varieties. That means you’ll see more gorgeous colors on every plant.
Bigger blooms
Flower size counts, and bigger is always better. Hibiscus are already one of the largest flowers in the garden, but new varieties boast even larger blooms – some measuring up to 7-inches in diameter. With flowers that big, you can see blooms from far away, so these plants make excellent front yard and porch container plantings.
Colorful flower buds
New breeding is creating hibiscus buds that reveal their flower color (rather than the old-school all-green buds). This useful new trait will make it easier for you to select the colors you want in the garden center, even if the plant doesn’t have open blooms. Plus, you’ll reap more color in the garden because that hint of bud color adds a preview of the flower to come.
A fuller plant growth habit
In addition to flowers, foliage is an important aspect of how a plant looks in the garden, landscape, or containers. New hibiscus breeding results in fuller, bushier plants with more branches. More branching results in shorter internodes, the area on the plant where leaves are produced. And, of course, the denser the leaves, the lusher the look. More branching also results in more new growth points, which is where buds are formed. And that means more flowers. Another plus? Advanced breeding produces greener, richer-looking leaves so that the flowers stand out in a more colorful way.
For more information:
Costa Farms
21800 SW 162ND Ave.
Miami, Florida 33170
(800) 327-7074
www.costafarms.com