Hibiscus Braid ‘Painted Lady’

The Painted Lady is a member of the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Malvaceae) family and is prized for its large rosy-pink blossoms with dark red throats and central protrusions of pistils and stamens. This sun-loving shrub hails originally from China and is ideal for both in-ground and container planting. Once you bring home your Painted Lady, take good care of it so that it blooms vigorously.

Hibiscus are large shrubs or small trees that produce huge, colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers over a long season. Hibiscus are deciduous shrubs with dark green leaves; the plants can grow to 15 feet tall in frost-free areas. Flowers may be up to 6 inches diameter, with colors ranging from yellow to peach to red. Hibiscus can be planted singly or grown as a hedge plant; they can also be pruned into a single-stemmed small tree. The flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

Hibiscus require at least 1 inch of rain (or equivalent watering) each week. They like to be constantly moist, but not wet. Feed twice a month during the growing season and prune as necessary to control plant size and cut back errant branches. Cut branches back to just above a side shoot. Hibiscus are sensitive to cold and should be protected when temperatures dip into the 30s; container-grown plants should be brought indoors. Check plants periodically for pests such as aphids, white flies and mealybugs. Use a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to control these pests.