Hibiscus acetosella 'Red Shield' (Cranberry Hibiscus) — Bushy

Overview

Hibiscus acetosella 'Red Shield' is a bushy shrubs in the genus Hibiscus, part of the Malvaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Hibiscus acetosella 'Red Shield' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include shrub borders, specimen planting and hedging.

About

Hibiscus acetosella 'Red Shield' is a deciduous shrub notable for its deep red-maroon foliage and summer-flowering habit. It produces hibiscus blooms through July to October. Place it in full sun on a south-facing, sheltered aspect in a loam-based, neutral soil that stays moist but drains freely. Rated H5, it is classed as hardy for most UK gardens and suits shrub borders, specimen planting or informal hedging.

About the genus

Hibiscus is a genus of common flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. The genus is quite large, comprising several hundred species that are native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Member species are renowned for their large, showy flowers and those species are commonly known simply as "hibiscus", or less widely known as rose mallow.

Wikipedia contributors, "Hibiscus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hibiscus

In the garden

Hibiscus acetosella 'Red Shield' originates from subtropical and tropical regions and has been grown in temperate gardens for its coloured leaves as much as its flowers. The cultivar name reflects its red leaf colouring, which becomes the garden's focal point through the growing season while the plant sets its summer flowers from July to October. Give 'Red Shield' a sunny, south-facing position with protection from strong winds; a sheltered aspect reduces winter exposure and helps preserve the foliage. It prefers a loam soil of neutral pH that remains moist but is well drained rather than waterlogged. In the UK it carries an H5 rating, meaning it is hardy in most areas though very exposed coastal or upland sites may need additional winter shelter. Use it where leaf colour will be visible against paler planting — a single specimen or a short run in a shrub border works well. It also responds to being sited as a feature at a sunny patio edge or as informal hedging where its leaf colour will contrast with green perennials. Expect the red foliage to remain the defining characteristic, with flowers appearing between July and October.