An Ornamental In The Edible Garden
I have just potted on Hibiscus sabdariffa - Rosella seedlings into forest tubes. This one is a little different from most of what I grow, so I want to say it plainly at the start. Hibiscus sabdariffa, the plant many people know as Rosella or Roselle, is not native to Australia. It is not a bush food, but it is a beautiful plant with edible fleshy red calyxes.
Why a non-native has a place in the nursery
This species of Hibiscus has a beautiful flower that can attract pollinators, you can harvest the calyxes and make natural cordial, jams or preserves. It is also one of two non-native species I am growing for people who make these preserves, jams and cordials as I have many herbalist friends, one who creates amazing herbal tea blends under the brand Neuville Wellbeing.
Herbal teas are made from the calyx, the fleshy, deep-red protective cup that swells and covers the seed pod after the flower blooms and falls away. The colour of the flowers varies, yet they often open for a single day. The striking ornamental species has deep red stems and lobed leaves. Resilience is its flow, being heat-tolerant once established, and grows rapidly as an annual in cooler climates or a perennial in the tropics.
The leaves are edible, often called 'sour greens' or gongura in South Asian cooking, the young leaves have a tangy, green-sorrel flavour and are used in curries, stir-fries, and salads. The calyxes are naturally high in pectin, making them exceptional for jams, jellies, marmalades, and rich syrups without needing tons of added thickeners, and due to its intense anthocyanin content, the extract is widely sought after by the food industry as a clean-label, plant based red dye.
So, with those cordials, jams and rich dye in mind, what to do when you are ready to plant out your Hibiscus sabdariffa? When planting out, it's important to avoid root disturbance, as Roselle seedlings possess a delicate taproot and dislike being rootbound. So we always harden off our plants in full sun, gradually acclimatising young plants to outdoor conditions over a week. Plant them out only after all danger of frost has safely passed, giving them a rich, composted soil bed and plenty of space to stretch their deep red branches.
So enjoy growing your own in your edible garden, they are adaptable and will grow in pots for those with limited space. If you have more room, nestle them in and let them introduce themselves to their new garden friends.
Happy co-creating with nature.🍃
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