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List For Using These Hibiscus Lists:

1. Names One should use the common names provided in these lists with the caveat that non-scientific names can be frustratingly variable. Duplicate names sometimes occur and some varieties or cultivars have more than one name — across countries, states/provinces, hibiscus nomenclatures, and time. Older varieties and cultivars are especially prone to this problem. Another common difficulty occurs when commercial nurseries deliberately change a variety or cultivar's name for better description, market exclusivity, and other business reasons.
2. Botanical Concerns Some technical points that should be made are as follows:
   1. The taxonomic classification, species, is arranged into Genera that are organized into the still larger grouping, Families. A variety (or sub-species or near-species) is a classification of species into smaller categories of very similar, indigenous plants that reproduce from seeds.
   2. These classifications are in frequent turmoil as taxonomists re-evaluate various characteristics and traits. Additionally, they change as the plants within a defined species alter with time, natural selection, genetic anomalies (also, called sports), and natural/human hybridization.
   3. Distinguishing characteristics for species classification are similar reproductive structures, leaf shapes, vein patterns, stem and leaf anatomy, epidermal hair structure, chromosome numbers in cell nuclei, environmental needs, etc.
   4. The following list represents the current taxonomic hierarchy of the Malvaceae flowering plant family:
      Division: Anthophyta
      Class: Magnoliopsida
      SubClass: Dilleniidae
      Order: Malvales
      Family: Malvaceae
   5. The Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. category, within the Hibiscus genus of Malvaceae, is very complex, controversial, and muddy for taxonomists. (In fact, some taxonomists consider the grouping more properly expressed: Hibiscus xrosasinensis.)
   6. H. rosa-sinensis can rarely be sub-classified into true varieties, since, by definition, such plants must maintain their distinguishing characteristics in nature over several reproductive cycles (generations). Therefore, virtually all of the forms of H. rosa-sinensis that appear within these lists are properly classified as cultivated varieties or cultivars or cvs. (In everyday language, the expression, garden variety (gv), or the more accurate term, garden cultivar (gcv), are frequently used to describe a vigourous H. rosa-sinensis cultivar that may be grown on-its-own-roots.)
   7. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, unknown in nature, is probably the product of the Hibiscus genus's long relationship with migrating humans. Specifically, a history of cross-breeding, selection, cloning, and other processes gradually produced the numerous cultivated plants that are assigned today to the H. rosa-sinensis L. species. Genetically, there are a number of closely related Hibiscus species that are compatible and are probably either predecessors or cousins of H. rosa-sinensis L. (See the Related Species List.)
   8. Taxonomically, a cultivar's name follows either the abbreviation cv (for example, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis cv. Ross Estey), or it is placed within single quotation marks (for example, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Ross Estey').
   9. In botany, a hybrid results from a cross between genetically different parents or, in other words, two different species. However, the vast majority of modern crosses, utilizing Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, are between cultivated varieties (or cultivars). Thus, successful hybridization, between these cultivars, produces new cultivated varieties, NOT new hybrids. (Unfortunately, hybridization is a commonly used word to indicate the cross-pollination of cultivated varieties among hibiscus enthusiasts.)
   10. Most forms of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis do not normally reproduce true from seeds. (technically, a requirement for species classification). Therefore, most H. rosa-sinensis cultivars appearing in these lists, can only be multiplied through cloning. In other words, replication of the single original plant occurs through rooted cuttings, grafts of scion wood onto stronger rootstock, or tissue culture. Hybridizers, nurseries and individual growers then pass-along these clones to other hibiscus enthusiasts.
   11. Other Malvaceae species can be crossed to produce hybrid seed, which are the result of the careful combination of two different parents — whether by species, subspecies, or cultivar. F1 or First filial hybrids are the first generation plants of such a cross. Since F1 hybrids produce seed that (like H. rosa-sinensis) do not reproduce their parents exact traits, then such seed must be recreated constantly through a repollination of the original parents. Growers of F1 plants must therefore secure new seed for each new planting of a particular F1 hybrid.
   12. Hybridizers of H. rosa-sinensis, who have firmly established that a cultivar has desirable characteristics, usually name and register the new cv with the International Registry Authority (IRA) — Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.: Cultivar Database & Registration either directly or through one of the American or Australian Hibiscus Societies' Nomenclature Officer.
   13. In the United States, the hybridizer may enter a new cultivar in individual American Hibiscus Society Chapter shows.  If it is judged "Best of Show, Seedling", a cultivar is then evaluated over several years (typically four) by the American Society's Seedling Evaluation Committee. During that process, if a winning seedling has been registered with the Society's Nomenclature Committee, the Society may award further competitive honors.
   14. Australian and Queensland (Australia) Societies' seedling evaluation procedures and awards vary somewhat from American practices.
3. Native Distribution Europe is the only continent that does not have a native species of the Hibiscus genus.
4. Balance These lists attempt the very difficult task of providing the most utility for the most people. They thus try to emphasize plants that have a consistent balance of desirable characteristics. (For example, vigor, compact bush, attractive foliage, strong root system, longevity, ease-of-maintenance, good flowering characteristics, etc.).
5. Missing Cultivars These lists are certainly not complete. An individual may well observe a gorgeous bloom, a picture, or read of a show winner that is not found in these lists. Difficult hibiscus appear in these lists only if the characteristics of the plant make it worth preserving — a necessarily human evaluation. (For instance, see the Extremely Difficult To Grow…List.) Problems that a grower may experience with a particular cultivar include large unwieldy bushes, spindly growth, short life-span, disease susceptibility, sporadic blooms, etc.
6. Choices Environmental/climatic conditions in which a plant is grown can have a dramatic effect on plant performance. Of course, the goals of an individual's hibiscus usage, such as a hybridizing hobby, can also affect an individual's choices and opinions.
7. Omissions To the extent possible, there has been no attempt to exclude or include specific countries, hybridizers, climatic conditions, individual opinions, etc.
8. Availability These lists are for information only. No attempt has been made to identify specific sources for any of the plants presented on this web page. The reader should inquire through traditional local and long distance garden sources. The promotion of specific vendors or hybridizers is not the purpose of these lists.
9. American Hibiscus Resources The American Hibiscus Society web site offers a constantly changing collection of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis photos, special web site links, and a terrific amount of general Hibiscus rosa-sinensis information. Please contact the American Society directly through their e-mail address about membership, publications, new chapter formation, and their internet mail list.... Oh, and make a note to tell them that The List Fiend ™ sent you!
10. Other Hibiscus Resources The List Fiend ™'s... A Working List Of Hibiscus-related Web Links offers an international guide to further hibiscus information, especially Australian. These web sites feature Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and its close-relations in the Malvaceae family. If you find, or wish to suggest similar web sites to add to this list, please scribble the ol' Fiend ™ a message enclosing the suggested hyperlink!
11. Intentions The plan for these lists is that they be, not only informative, but fun and enjoyable... like growing hibiscus plants! Exhaustive, or exhausting, is not their purpose! Readers are encouraged to compose their own lists, based on their own experience and preferences.
12. Navigation Aids A few, rare individuals may choose not to pour over every wonderful detail at the Lists & Lists... ™ web site.Therefore,The List Fiend ™ has generously provided his readers with navigation aids to help them locate specific information. Click on your area of particular interest!

    A Hyperlink List of Contents for the Lists & Lists... ™ web site including:

Varieties and Cultivars of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Other Malvaceae & Hibiscus Species & Varieties

A Working List Of Hibiscus-related Web Links

A Working List of Notes: Hibiscus On the Internet

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©1997-99 All Rights Reserved. Lists & Lists… ™ Productions. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of the owner is strictly prohibited. No warranty of any kind is made or implied by Lists & Lists… ™ Productions or this web site. The information contained herein is believed to be accurate, but may be subject to error. Use of the information provided herein is strictly at individual risk. Hyperlinks to the World Wide Web, the Tropical Hibiscus Mail List (or Discussion Group), and mail addresses (including the American Hibiscus Society) from these pages do not necessarily imply endorsement of the Lists & Lists… ™ web site by the owners of those internet sites, internet mail lists, & addresses. Conversely, the appearance of hyperlinks, mail addresses, Tropical Hibiscus Mail List (or Discussion Group) information, nor mention of the Lists & Lists… ™ web site (as above), do not imply endorsement of the referenced internet contacts by Lists & Lists… ™ Productions, or this specific web site. Caveat emptor!

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