Andalucia Life Fauna and Flora, Flowers of Andalucia Southern Spain

December 2005, Rose of China, Hibiscus rosa sinensis

The hibiscus genus has over 200 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs, trees, annuals and herbaceous perennials that are found in warmtemperate, subtropical and tropical regions. They occur in woodlands, on stream sides, and dry rocky sites, in fact a very successful genus.

The origin of the rosasinensis species is unknown but probably tropical Asia. How or when it arrived in Spain is also a mystery but it certainly seems to like Andalucia where you can see it growing as single shrubs or small trees up to 5 metres tall. It is grown as an ornamental shrub and as hedging. The flowers grow from the leaf axils so the more the shrub is cut back to encourage new growth the more flowers you will see from March right through to December. The one shown here is in the botanical gardens at Malaga. It is one of the many hibiscus cultivars and has deep red double flowers and is quite exquisite.