Hibiscus trionum - African Hibiscus

Hibiscus trionum is a rarely cultivated, beautifully elegant hibiscus. It is a perennial species which is grown as an annual in our climates because it is frost-sensitive. It bears cream-yellow to white flowers with a dark purple, almost black centre, enhanced by dark green foliage. The seeds are carried in lantern-shaped pods. Each flower lasts only one day and often only blooms when the sun is shining, but it is a fast-growing plant with prolific flowering throughout the summer until the first frost.

Hibiscus trionum belongs to the mallow family. Also known as African Rose Mallow or Flower-of-an-Hour, it is an annual herbaceous plant (sometimes biennial), native to the eastern Mediterranean basin, but it has been spread throughout southern Europe and America, in subtropical areas and mild temperate climates. This highly ornamental and prolific plant is even considered invasive in the Australian continent. It forms a rounded clump, usually 50 cm tall, which can reach 80 cm. The stem branches out from the base. The leaves are simple, alternate, elongated, dark green, palmate, and divided into 3 to 7 lobes. The plant grows rapidly as soon as the heat is sufficient and produces multiple unique flower buds that are swollen like balloons and highlighted by fine ridges with a dark tip. They open into a magnificent flat, 6 to 7 cm wide flower, with 5 free and regular light yellow to white petals with a dark base. This beautiful corolla shows a dark red to violet throat, from which the staminal column emerges. A large number of kidney-shaped seeds are produced. They ensure the species' perpetuity and easily self-seed if the climate allows.

Hibiscus trionum prefers light, fertile, moist, well-drained soils and a warm exposure. It produces flowers from June to October, each living for only a few hours. It is easy to grow and perfect in a sunny border or as the main element in a terrace container. Give it the spotlight for a season, or combine it in a bed with daylilies, asters, and salvias, in front of botanical roses or buddleias.