Hibiscus Sabdariffa Rosella

A very attractive shrub with deeply lobed dark green foliage on red stems, the Rosella brings wonderful contrast to the garden. It has large waxy red buds, opening to yellow flowers with bright red edible seed pods. The unopened seed pods are very high in vitamin C and used for tea infusions, jams and relishes, and the leaves can be used in salads. They have a pleasant tart-sweet flavour that goes well in salads, jellies, red sauces, jams, cordials, syrups, fruit teas and wine. They are often found in shops, preserved whole in syrup or liquid, as a decorative and flavouring additive for cocktails, white wine or champagne. Prune by a third after the first summer harvest to encourage new growth. Leave a couple of seed pods to ripen before winter to use for seed next spring. Being a tropical plant they like it moist during warmer months. For enhanced growth and flowering we recommend using Troforte M Native Slow Release fertiliser. Rosella will grow to reach 2m height and 1m width.

Water: Water well and often when freshly planted and during warmer seasons. Use a chunky mulch, we recommend using Aussie Organics Chunky Pine Bark.

Sun: Full sun to dappled protected positions.

Soil: Fertile, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. We recommend using Aussie Organics Premium Soil Conditioner and Charlie Charcoal prior to planting.