The satin variety of Rose of Sharon is the closest I know that is what you are talking about. They are working on a new hybrid, but it isn't on the market yet. The satin strain of Rose of Sharons have much darker foilage than the other ROS, and they seem to grow faster also. I also love the dark foilage of the tropicals, that is why I overwinter them in my zone. Mabey someone else will know of a hardy tropical like hibiscus, you never know. Good Luck!

I have 29 hibiscus along a very HOT block wall with only a foot to grow in from the retaining wall and the block wall. I live in Upland,CA - your neighbor. I also grew them in Tustin next to our pool and they were BEAUTIFUL!!! Here, I have had great difficulty with our sprinkler/drip system always running when we are out of the country 2-3 months - they have been stressed with lack of water many times in the 10 years we have owned this home and since planting them but when I am home to make sure they get water - they grow and bloom BEAUTIFULLY. They CAN freeze but we have not had a problem with that even though we are at approximately 2,500ft elevation. We have our own eco-system with 23 trees in our orchard and MANY trees and plants on our acre of land. The problem I DO have is white flies!! They have taken over the plants and can . I have 5 to replace. I don't know which first - lack of water or from the sucking larva. The bottom 1/3 of most of my plants are WHITE with larva, webs and white flies. I have tried MANY cures for the white flies - none have worked but I just read the suggestions in this forum and am going to try those next. Good Luck if you plant hibiscus. You can't ask for a more brillant flower color or deep green leaf. My Tustin plants never saw a white fly so I don't know what the difference was.

Wow im impressed u must have quiet a indoor aboretum..lucky you...never knew of such a thing as winter catcus...however how do u even know they are there under the snow...giggle. My plants are simply A-typical of what most have for outdoor areas absolutely nothing of a exotic nature just common plants for our area. Whaaaaat Shrewsbury St doesnt have enuf Italian grocercies now good grief, whats life coming to? Im sure there are areas a lot closer than Providence cuz all those Italianos dont do that "wink" not for groceries OTHER things mayyyybe,giggle uh huh Im sure. They call it grocercies now hmmmm. For hibiscus the only other i have is a double RS which toward end of summer for first time got chewed on a bit..japanese beetles are making a come back around here. Its a old established plant other than looking a bit top nakkid im sure it will be ok.

I have found some nice tropical hibiscus at Lowes and H. Depot over the years. I generally buy the named ones from either ebay sellers that are reputable or HVH or somewhere similar. I don't think 14.99 - 19.99 is too much to pay for starter plants that are nice named varieties. The ones I've bought from HVH were always nice healthy plants and did well. The shipping is what kills ya lol. If you buy 2 plants at a time instead of one at some places, you can save a little on shipping vs paying separate shipping for each item on separate purchases. If I see a nice plant at any nursery or store it is always better than ordering online but with tropical hibiscus you are very limited at what you get at the local stores. Of course you do get instant gratification and no shipping and usually a larger plant. Here are a few nice tropical hibiscus that I have found in big box stores