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Gardening in Oz

Melbourne Hibiscus Trees

19 years ago

Hi,

I've been wondering for several years now what is the species of Hibiscus I often see when I'm visiting Melbourne. It's in flower right now and grows to be a very large shrub or small tree even, usually has white flowers with a red stamen, but I've seen some with rosy pink flowers too. I know for certain it is not a variety of Hibiscus mutabilis, but have no ideas on what else it might be, if anyone could shed some light on this mystery I would be most grateful. I'd also love to get hold of some cuttings of it if anyone would care to share some as I'm really trying to get hold of any of the hardier Hibiscus species. Thanks in advance.

Daniel

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Comments (7)

brical1
19 years ago
Hi Daniel,Do you mean pink flowers also on the same bush? I have a swan lake which is a white flowered hibiscus which also throws the occasional pink flowers.Hope this helps,there might be others too which also have this habit.
User
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks for the reply, brical1. I've looked up Hibiscus Swan Lake, and found that it's not this one, but thanks for the suggestion anyway. I should mention that the 2 different coloured flowered occur on different plants. Still hoping someone can identify this for me!
Daniel
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funnelweb
19 years ago
Maybe its hibiscus syriacus, they come in white and blue, and I think in other colours too now. I'd imagine not too many other varieties would be happy in Melbourne's cool winter climate. Don't suppose you'd have a picture of it?
User
Original Author
19 years ago
Not H. syriacus either, I'm familiar with that one too, just forgot to include it in my first post - sorry!
Unfortunately I've never had a chance to take a photo, but with a bit of searching the net the closest I could find to it was Hibiscus arnottianus:

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Though I'm still not convinced this is the correct identity of the Melbourne plants, which have a much more red central column than the flower in the above photo. Anyone have some more suggestions?
Daniel
funnelweb
19 years ago
Cant say I've ever seen the one in the picture, might I suggest, Daniel, you take a piece (leaf and flower) along to the Melbourne Botanic Gardens and ask them if they can id it. If it's common to the Melbourne area they should be able to tell you without even looking it up. If not the Melbourne bot. gdns maybe even your local nursery.
shaxhome (Frog Rock, Australia 9b)
19 years ago
Daniel,
try perusing this page..

Regards,
Shax

Here is a link that might be useful: Hibiscus Pics
User
19 years ago
Hi Daniel.... Could this be the one you seen it is one of the very hardy ones its called Fantasia..
{{gwi:2111523}}

This is the other hardy one Swan Lake that is mentioned up above.. MM

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