Mystery Hibiscus

[Laura]

I saw this hibiscus in a mall while traveling along the Oregon coast. Does anyone know its name?

[Pachrian]

It looks a lot like a Mystery Hibiscus I have. But yours has a red eye that mine doesn't have and some other minor differences. But the color is the same gorgeous salmon pink orange.

How big were the flowers you saw? Mine are usually around 6" at opening and more than 8" later (flowers last 3 days).

[Laura]

The flowers were about 6-7 inches across and had small serrated leaves. I snuck myself a few cuttings so hopefully they will root

[Charlie]

Hi Laura,

Your hibiscus looks like one of the Tradewind hibiscus such as Candy Wind. These are usually sold as potted plants in 6 inch pots at grocery stores and garden centers. Sometimes they plant more than one cutting in a pot in order to obtain a full look quickly. They are good bloomers with the simpler types of flowers found in older varieties. It could be something else but does have that look.

Uli, your hibiscus is almost certainly 'Ross Estey', hybridized by Ross Gast in the 1960's. Ross Estey was his most successful variety among the ones he hybridized to be especially suitable for the California climate. Ross wrote some interesting letters about his explorations of the history of hibiscus, if you ever come across them they are worth a look. 'Ross Estey' is not seen in garden centers very often these days but is still popular and enjoyed by many in southern CA gardens and elsewhere.

Charlie

[Pachrian]

Charlie, thank you so much, it looks like I finally have an ID on this hibiscus. And it's a good thing too, because I was going to plant it in the ground, but now that I know it can get up to 10 feet tall I may have to re-think that.