About This Database

This website is a reference database dedicated to hibiscus cultivars that are hybridised in Australia or known to be present in Australia.

Its primary purpose is to document and preserve the work of Australian hibiscus hybridisers while also providing useful reference information on overseas-bred cultivars that have made their way into Australian collections, gardens, and nurseries.

Rather than attempting to duplicate international databases, this site provides an Australian perspective — helping visitors explore cultivars with relevance to Australian growers and enthusiasts.

Why This Site Exists

Since the early 2000s, there has been no dedicated, publicly accessible database focused specifically on hibiscus cultivars hybridised in Australia or established within Australia.

While international resources exist, they are not designed to reflect:

which cultivars are actually present in Australia
the full body of Australian hybridising work
or the relationships between locally grown plants

As a result, much of this information has remained fragmented or difficult to access.

This database was created to address that gap by providing a central, Australian-focused reference that brings this information together in a single, searchable location.

Scope of the Database

The primary focus of this database is on Australian hybridised cultivars.

These records form the core of the collection and represent many years of breeding work by Australian hybridisers.

To support this, the database also includes selected cultivars that were hybridised overseas but are:

grown in Australia
used in breeding locally
or part of known Australian collections

This approach provides useful context without attempting to reproduce international databases.

Source of the Data

The foundation of this database is a comprehensive collection of hibiscus cultivar records compiled over many years by Christopher Noble of Hibiscus World.

Christopher is well known in Australia for his work as a hibiscus grower and grafter, particularly for producing and distributing grafted plants. Through this work, he has maintained extensive records of cultivars grown, collected, and circulated within Australia.

The original database was developed using FileMaker and includes thousands of cultivar records, covering:

Australian hybridised cultivars
international cultivars
parentage and lineage information
historical notes and observations

This dataset was built through a combination of:

long-term personal record keeping
interaction with growers, collectors, and enthusiasts
reference to published material and society resources
contributions from members of the Australian Hibiscus Society (AHS)
alignment with naming and classification standards used by the International Hibiscus Society (IHS)

While the broader dataset includes international cultivars, this website focuses on making Australian hybridised cultivars and those present in Australia more accessible, while retaining international records where needed to support family tree relationships.

This project represents the transition of that long-maintained private database into a structured, searchable online resource, ensuring that this information is preserved and remains available to the hibiscus community.

Family Tree Information

Where data is available, each cultivar record includes lineage details to help trace the development of that plant.

This may include:

  • pod (seed) parent
  • pollen parent
  • links to related cultivar records
  • multi-generation lineage where known
 

International cultivars are retained within the database where required to support these relationships, even when they are not the primary focus of the site.

This allows users to explore how cultivars are connected and better understand the background of plants grown in Australia.

Relationship to Other Resources

This website is not intended to replace or replicate established international hibiscus databases.

The International Hibiscus Society (IHS) maintains a global cultivar register and remains the primary reference for internationally recognised hibiscus registrations and naming standards.

This database takes a different approach by focusing specifically on:

  • cultivars hybridized in Australia
  • cultivars known to be present in Australia
  • relationships between plants within Australian collections
 

Where relevant, international cultivars are included to support lineage and family tree information.

In some cases, external resources such as the IHS cultivar search may be referenced for additional detail on overseas cultivars.

The database also draws on information and contributions from the Australian hibiscus community, including members of the Australian Hibiscus Society (AHS).

This site is intended to complement existing resources by providing an Australian-focused perspective rather than duplicating global records.

Important Note

This website is a reference database only.

It does not:

  • sell plants
  • provide availability information
  • handle enquiries about purchasing specific cultivars
 

The inclusion of a cultivar in this database does not indicate that it is currently available for sale or distribution.

This website does not provide plant availability, sourcing assistance, or sales enquiries of any kind.

If you are looking to purchase hibiscus plants, please contact nurseries or growers directly.

Ongoing Development

This database will continue to be updated and refined over time.

Future improvements may include:

  • additional cultivar records
  • expanded photo coverage
  • more complete lineage information
  • corrections and updates to existing records
 

As more information becomes available, the aim is to improve the accuracy and completeness of the database while maintaining its focus on hibiscus cultivars relevant to Australia.