Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Vice President’

hibiscus
The iconic tropical flower brightens areas with abundant blooms during summer months or longer with warm weather. Prune to shape in early spring. Brilliant red flowers.
height 3–15ft
width 5–8ft
tolerates Coast, Heat, Pots, Salt
water
needs		 Moderate – High
water
info		 Water this plant regularly, when the surface of the soil feels dry. Usually this will mean once or twice a week in warm dry weather. Use drippers, emitters, or a slow stream of water so that it does not run off; allow the water to trickle all the way down through to the deepest layers of soil. In a pot slowly water the entire surface until water comes out of the bottom of your pot.
hardy
to		 30F
exposure Part Shade – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Planting Mix, In Pots: Potting Soil, Tolerates Heavy Soil, Tolerates Sandy Soil
fertilizing Bloom
origin Tropical Asia
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 9, 12–H2

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

OUTDOOR EXPOSURE GUIDE

Full Sun
Six or more hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Shade
Three to five hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Sun
One to two hours of sun beams directly landing on the plants leaves.

Full Shade
The plant is never fully lit by sun beams, but is in a bright spot or has dappled sunbeams playing over the leaves throughout the day.

Deep Shade
The plant never has dappled light on the leaves, and is in a place that feels dim, even on a nice sunny day.

SUNSET ZONES MAP

Growing Notes

Responds very well to pruning to keep a dense plant and can even be hedged. Truly one of the most impressive, flamboyant, flowering shrubs in tropical to temperate gardens. While each blossom lasts only a day, they come with rapid abundance through the blooming season. This does create a bit of shedding to be swept up but wow, so worth it!
In tropical climates this shrub can get much larger, unto thirty feet.
Can be espaliered and trained along a flat wall or fence.
Established plants can resprout from frost damage in warm-summer inland regions.
Not at its best in NorCal’s coastal fog belt but satisfactory in banana belts of Sunset Zone 17 like the east side of San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Oakland.

Special Interest

Edible flowers have a zesty flavor, they are also used to make tangy teas, though if you are purchasing hibiscus tea it is usually made from Hibiscus sabdariffa.