Hibiscus martianus
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hibiscus cardiophyllus
- Description
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Heart-leaf Hibiscus is a native of Texas, where it can be found growing in canyons, along slopes, and hillsides. It is a heat-tolerant shrub that blooms crimson red in the summer through fall in full sun. When grown in other locations that do not experience frost, it can be ever booming.
Pruning of the tips of the stems will provide a continued compact habit while also promoting more blooms.
The flowers and fruits of this hibiscus serves as a main source of food for the caterpillar of the Yohoa Scrub-hairstreak butterfly which lays it eggs on the flowers. The Mallow Scrub-hairstreak and Gray Hairstreak caterpillars also feed on this plant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Although adaptable to most soil conditions, when good drainage in not provided in heavy clay soil the plant will rot.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hibiscus
- Species:
- martianus
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Landscape plant with a long blooming period.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Texas to Mexico
- Distribution:
- TX
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- heat, drought
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Two to three inch solitary red flowers form at the tips of the branches. It flowers in the heat of the summer when other plants are not.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Silvery/green heart shaped leaves are quite showy.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Leafy stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
