ARS | Publication request: Two New Disease-Resistant Hibiscus: 'Lufkin Red' and 'Lufkin White'

Submitted to: Annual Horticulture Field Day Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 6, 2011
Publication Date: October 6, 2011
Citation: Pounders Jr, C.T. 2011. Two New Disease-Resistant Hibiscus: 'Lufkin Red' and 'Lufkin White'. Annual Horticulture Field Day Proceedings. 38:16.

Technical Abstract: The Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, has released Hibiscus laevis ‘Lufkin Red’ and ‘Lufkin White’, two new hardy native ornamental hibiscus. These cultivars are recommended for trial by gardeners and horticulturists as summer flowering perennial landscape plants nationwide, but selections are particularly adapted to conditions in the South. Plants have exceptional flowers and outstanding disease resistant foliage. The form and scale of the selections are ideally proportioned for inclusion as a component of perennial borders and gardens. Plants develop rapidly in containers and, in addition to leaf-spot resistance, display good tolerance to other common pests. Ultimate plant size is dependent on container size and environmental conditions with plants in a #3 nursery pot growing to 2 feet high x 1 foot wide within 3 months under optimum conditions. Under landscape conditions plants should mature to approximately 4 feet high x 5 feet wide. Plants die to ground level each winter and build a large multi-stemmed clump after several seasons of regrowth.