'Happy Heart' is one of the brightest, happiest hibiscus varieties. The 7-9" bright red flowers shine with their white spots and white eye. More white develops in summer heat, and the flower has more red in cooler weather. Parents 'Saffron' https://pbase.com/britestar/image/172984926 and 'Cherry Appaloosa' both contributed to the vivid colors of this cultivar. 'Happy Heart' grows on a very upright, strong bush. Released from HVH in 2011. Hybridizer: C. Black

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Purchased in April 2022, this plant didn't start to bloom until it was moved into our foyer during a late December cold snap out in the Solar Room. It bloomed solid red in December. It's now back out in the Solar Room, but the blooms are still mainly red with a white eye.

The above flower is the longest I've ever seen a hibiscus bloom remain fresh. It started to flower a 8 days ago, and the flower hasn't changed at all. If I didn't know better, I'd say it is an artificial flower made to look like a real one... This one flower just keeps going and going and going and not aging at all!!! If you know hibiscuses, you will know that this is extremely unusually. I think it will probably outlast my Amaryllis blooms that opened on the same day. Normally, individual Amaryllis flowers stay fresh & pretty for about a week.

The two other times that this hibiscus has bloomed for me (both in Wintertime), each flower lasted about 3 days. Tomorrow will be this one's 10th day with no blemishes or signs of aging. In Summertime, hibiscus blooms last only a single day (and sometimes less in high heat). It will be interesting to see what this one will do this coming Summer.