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Image shows the beautiful butterfly attractant, Hibiscus Acetosella 'Red
Shield' bloom
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Hibiscus Acetosella 'Red Shield'
(Red Leaf Hibiscus, African Rose Mallow, Maroon Mallow,
Cranberry Hibiscus, False Roselle) |
Family: Malvaceae
Origin: Tropical Africa
Light: Full sun
Height: 6'-8'
Spread: 3'
Blooms: Large, funnel-shaped, mauve with dark red eye,
constant blooms from late summer-winter
Foliage: Glossy, red-bronze, 5-lobed
Soil: Well-drained, sandy, loamy, moist
Water: Regular, reduce in Winter
Propagation: Seeds, (planted in Spring), stem cuttings
Uses: Container, accent, screening, hedges, back of border
Caution: Spiny, hairy seed pods, wear gloves
Comments: Hibiscus Acetosella 'Red Shield' or Red Leaf Hibiscus or
African Rose Mallow or Maroon Mallow or Cranberry Hibiscus or False
Roselle is a showy upright tropical
perennial plant with strikingly beautiful maple-like leaves. It is
a prolific self-seeder and is pest and disease free. The flowers
only last for a day and are used in salads while the young leaves are
used in salads or chopped and cooked as a vegetable. African Rose
Mallow is a host plant for the Painted Lady and Skippers butterflies.
Trim plant to maintain shape and to encourage fuller growth..
Protect plant from frost. Trim to the ground in Winter. Cranberry
Hibiscus makes a striking back of the border plant for the landscaping
garden or as an attractive container plant in colder areas. Hibiscus
Acetosella 'Red Shield' are easily propagated by seeds and cuttings.
Another cultivar which is very similar to this plant is called Hibiscus
sabdariffa or true Roselle. The calyces of this plant are used to
make a tasty cranberry hibiscus tea with lime juice and sugar added.
USDA Hardiness Zones : 9b-11 |
