🌺 What do agua de jamaica & shoe polish have in common?

A shoe polish, a tea, a pH indicator AND looks like a tropical getaway? Yes! 

Hibiscus, a drought-tolerant perennial shrub, sports vacation-vibe blooms in colors as vivid as island sunsets. 

Despite its showy appearance, H. rosa-sinensis resists pests & disease while requiring very little care: 

- Provide six hours of full sun
- Well-draining soil
- Water when the top inch is dry 

When deciding where to plant, know it can reach up to 10 feet tall & 8 feet around.  

Our gorgeous hibiscus are grown locally at Kawahara Nurseries & available in-store only.

Hybridized by Polynesians more than 500 years ago, the species H. rosa-sinensis continues to be used in an array of applications. 

• Roots & leaves to blossoms & bark, every part of H. rosa-sinensis is edible. In fact, its flowers give many drinks, such as agua de jamaica, a deep purple-red color & tart tang.
   
• Also known as “shoeblackplant,” its petals were historically used to make black shoe polish & hair dye.
   
• Into kitchen science? Convert blossoms into a pH test. Boil up a few flowers in a bit of water, strain it & let it cool. Add the hibiscus water to a solution & watch as it turns magenta if acidic & green if a base.

Did you know? Hibiscus are part of the mallow family, alongside cotton, cocoa, okra, durian & the marshmallow plant.