Hibiscus tiliaceus rubra Cottonwood

Name: Hibiscus tiliaceus rubra Cottonwood
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 300.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$300.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

389 in stock

Size: 40m/45L

40m/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 1.4m – 1.8m Approx.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Hibiscus tiliaceus rubra Cottonwood

Hibiscus tiliaceus ‘Rubra’ is a fast-growing, evergreen Australian native shrub or small tree, widely recognised for its broad, heart-shaped burgundy foliage and tropical appearance. It produces large, yellow hibiscus-like flowers, which fade through orange to red, offering striking contrast against the deep foliage. The flowering period typically extends from spring through to late summer, adding reliable seasonal interest.

With a mature height of 4–8 metres and a spread of 3–6 metres, this variety forms a naturally rounded habit that can be pruned to shape or maintained as an informal screen. It performs exceptionally well in coastal, subtropical, and warm temperate climates, showing strong tolerance to salt, wind, clay soils, and occasional waterlogging.

They look excellent when planted in mixed native gardens, used as an informal hedge, or positioned as a small specimen tree in tropical-themed or coastal designs. The foliage colour provides striking contrast in both native and contemporary planting schemes.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Hibiscus tiliaceus rubra Cottonwood is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 6–8 m

Mature Width: 4–6 m

Hibiscus tiliaceus rubra Cottonwood is expected to grow 0.5–1 m per year.

Frost Tolerance

Is Hibiscus tiliaceus rubra Cottonwood frost tolerant?

Hibiscus tiliaceus rubra Cottonwood is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

Flowering Information

Hibiscus tiliaceus ‘Rubra’ produces large, soft yellow hibiscus flowers that age through orange to deep red over the course of the day. Blooming mainly from late spring through autumn, these colour-changing flowers sit beautifully against the rich burgundy foliage and provide a striking tropical-style display.

Native Information

Is Hibiscus tiliaceus rubra Cottonwood an Australian Native? Yes

Hibiscus tiliaceus rubra Cottonwood is Native to Native to coastal areas of northern Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The ‘Rubra’ form is prized for its red-bronze foliage.

Wildlife Value

Its nectar-rich hibiscus blooms attract bees, butterflies and beneficial pollinating insects, while the dense, broad canopy offers excellent shelter and nesting habitat for small birds. The flowers also support day-flying moths and native pollinators, enriching subtropical and coastal garden biodiversity.

Sunlight Information

Hibiscus tiliaceus rubra Cottonwood will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preffered Soil

Hibiscus tiliaceus ‘Rubra’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It can tolerate poorer coastal soils but may struggle in heavy clay unless improved with organic matter to enhance drainage and moisture balance. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then maintain deep, consistent watering through dry periods as it matures to support its foliage colour, flower performance and overall vigour.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Cottonwood

Genus: Hibiscus

Botanical Species: Hibiscus tiliaceus

Family: Malvaceae

Botanical Name: Hibiscus tiliaceus ‘Rubra’

Landscape Uses

Screening or Privacy
Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes
Rural Property Planting
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots

Hibiscus tiliaceus rubra Cottonwood works in an:

Tropical Garden – lush, leafy planting for a resort-style atmosphere.
Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
Contemporary / Architectural Garden – striking forms for bold design statements.
Wildlife Garden – planting to attract birds, bees, and pollinators.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Choose a full sun or part shade position with protection from heavy frost.
Ensure the soil is free-draining; tolerates sandy or clay soils, but not persistent waterlogging.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and backfill with native soil.
Water thoroughly at planting to eliminate air pockets and ensure good root-to-soil contact.
Mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds — keep mulch away from the stem.

Hedging & Screening: Space 2 – 3 m apart
Feature Planting: Space 3 – 5 m apart
Shade Canopy: Space 4 – 6 m apart
Avenue Planting: Space 4 – 6 m apart

Water regularly during the first 12–18 months, especially in dry spells, to establish a deep root system.
Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage dense growth.
Apply a low-phosphorus native fertiliser annually in spring to support healthy foliage and flower production.

Performs well in sandy, loamy, or clay soils with good drainage.
Tolerates intermittent waterlogging but avoids long-term root saturation.
For heavy clay, plant on mounded soil or raised beds to improve drainage.

Hibiscus tiliaceus rubra Cottonwood is expected to grow 0.5–1 m per year.

Fast Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Tropical QLD (Cairns, Townsville)
Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal

Thrives in

Full Sun
Part Shade

Frost Tolerance

Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it requires regular watering, and once established ‘Rubra’ develops moderate drought tolerance. It performs best in warm, coastal and humid climates, but still handles dry periods well with deep, occasional watering to maintain leaf colour, vigour and flower production.

Flowering Information

Does Hibiscus tiliaceus rubra Cottonwood flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Autumn

Flower Type:

Bell-shaped
Pollinator-attracting

Flower Colour:

Yellow

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Hibiscus tiliaceus ‘Rubra’ suitable for coastal areas?
A: Yes, it is highly tolerant of salt and wind exposure, making it ideal for coastal planting.

Q: Can it be kept small or pruned into a tree shape?
A: Yes, it responds well to pruning and can be maintained as a shrub, informal hedge, or shaped into a small tree.

Q: Does it attract wildlife?
A: Yes, the flowers are attractive to bees and pollinators, and the dense canopy offers shelter for birds.

Q: Is it frost-tolerant?
A: It is frost-sensitive and best grown in frost-free or protected locations.

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