Rosella (Native Hibiscus

~ Hibiscus heterophyllus ~

MALVACEAE

With its edible buds and purple-hearted blooms, the Native Hibiscus will bring a joyful presence to any garden. The flowers only present for one day: from sun up to sun down, during which they will be a hive of activity. You can make jam or syrup using the flower petals and the buds can be stuffed and cooked similar to zucchini flowers. It’s definitely worth making this fast-growing plant your backyard friend with such showy blooms and yummy uses. It will also bring in its namesake, Rosella parrots, and other birdlife into your space (they love to snack on the nectar).

WHERE TO LOOK

The Rosella sits along the eastern coastline around rainforest areas from Sydney to Cairns. It can be seen basking in warm, frost-free environments in many different soil types.

Locations → Queensland: Mount Mee State Forest, Bunyaville Conservation Park, D’Aguilar National Park, Mount Coot-tha Reserve, Tamborine Mountain, Mount Tibrogargan in Glass House Mountains National Park and Cape Hillsborough National Park; NSW: Richmond Range National Park.

FEATURES

The Rosella can be a shrub or small tree growing 3–6m high. Its long leaves vary in shape but, to me, look strangely like a big chicken foot, around 20cm in size. Flowers are large and gorgeous, growing around 15cm across, and are generally white with a purple-pink heart.

FLOWERING SEASON

Spring and summer → Flowering months depend on where this plant is based. In north Queensland, blooms can be seen in the colder months; further south, flowering will occur throughout November and December.

TRADITIONAL USES

The bark fibre is known to have tenacious properties and is used for nets, dilly bags and twine.

PLANTING

Seeds and plants are easily found online and in nurseries, with seeds needing no special treatment. The Native Hibiscus can also be easily grown from cuttings, striking after about six to eight weeks. It prefers the warmth and humidity of subtropical and tropical environments so, if you’re further south, it could be large-potted and placed in a greenhouse or planted against a fence. After peak flowering, give the tree a nice haircut to keep it bushy and flowering for longer.