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Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Painted Lady' (Painted Lady Hibiscus Bush)
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© 白蛇の騎士, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons
Shrubs

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Painted Lady'

Painted Lady Hibiscus Bush

Malvaceae
East Asia (species); cultivar origin

At a Glance

Typeshrub
Habitupright
Foliageevergreen
Height48-96 inches (120-240 cm)
Width36-72 inches (90-180 cm)
Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

10 - 11
Zone 10Zone 11
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancetender

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesAttracts HummingbirdsContainer Friendly
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Painted Lady' is a multicolor-petaled tropical hibiscus, growing 48-96 inches (120-240 cm) tall and 36-72 inches (90-180 cm) wide. Large flowers 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) feature a complex color pattern: petal margins are pink to peach, the petal interior fades to cream or white, and a deep crimson eye zone surrounds the prominent staminal column at the center — three colors on a single petal create a hand-painted appearance. Each flower lasts 1-2 days; new flowers daily through the warm season. The complex color pattern shifts with temperature: cooler conditions deepen pink, warmer conditions lighten toward peach and cream. Dark green glossy ovate serrated leaves 3-5 inches (7-13 cm). In the mallow family (Malvaceae). Hummingbird-visited. Overwinter indoors in cold zones: bright cool location (55-65°F / 13-18°C), reduced watering, expect leaf drop. Whitefly, aphids, spider mites. Bud drop from temperature fluctuations or inconsistent watering. Full sun (6+ hours) for heaviest flowering and color development. Non-toxic. Containers of 5-10 gallons (20-40 liters). Frost-tender at 35°F (2°C). Zones 10-11 outdoors year-round.

Native Range

The species H. rosa-sinensis is native to East Asia. 'Painted Lady' is a multicolor selection.

Suggested Uses

Grown in containers of 5-10 gallons (20-40 liters) or in the ground in zones 10-11. Full sun. The hand-painted multicolor flower pattern is the cultivar's draw. Overwinter indoors in cold zones. Non-toxic. Hummingbird-visited.

How to Identify

Identified by large multicolor flowers 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) showing pink-to-peach margins, cream or white interior, and a deep crimson eye zone at the center on a single petal. The three-color pattern within each flower separates 'Painted Lady' from solid-color and bicolor cultivars. Dark green glossy serrated leaves on a tropical hibiscus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4' - 8'
Width/Spread3' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink
peach
cream
white
crimson
red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~24 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
SpringSummerFall
Spring through fall (April-October) in subtropics; year-round in tropics. Each flower lasts 1-2 days. New flowers daily. Color intensity shifts with temperature.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Multicolor: pink to peach margins, cream or white interior, deep crimson eye zone

Foliage Description

Dark green, glossy, ovate, serrated

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loam
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

moderate

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Consistent watering — bud drop from moisture fluctuations. Overwinter indoors in cold zones (bright, 55-65°F, reduce water). Whitefly, aphids, spider mites. Non-toxic. Hummingbird-visited. Frost-tender at 35°F (2°C). Zones 10-11.

Pruning

Pruning by one-third in early spring supports bushy growth and more flower buds. Flowers on new growth — pruning increases bloom production. Tips are pinched for branching.

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 5 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic