A new and distinct Hibiscus plant having intense orange colored flowers with a prominent eye and a compact growth habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinctHibiscusplant having the varietal name ‘JBG 19034’. The new variety is the result of a planned breeding program with the purposes of developingHibiscus rosa-sinensisplants that exhibit whitefly and bacterial and fungal leaf spot resistance, propagation and production efficiencies, durable and exotic flowers, and abundant flowering. ‘JBG 19034’ is the result of a cross conducted in Grand Saline, Texas betweenHibiscus rosa-sinensisvarieties ‘AH-64’ (female parent, unpatented) and ‘JBG MH-17’ (male parent, U.S. Plant Pat. No. PP34,664). The new variety was selected in April of 2018 in Grand Saline, Texas and the first asexual reproduction of the new variety was conducted by semi-hardwood cuttings in September of 2018 in Grand Saline, Texas. ‘JBG 19034’ has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations. The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. However, it has been found to thrive in production and adapt well to the environment in Homestead, Florida. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

‘JBG 19034’ is similar to its female parent in petal shape and ruffling, having a dark flower eye, and in growth rate. ‘JBG 19034’ differs from its female parent in flower color (the female parent has pink flowers) and exhibiting smaller foliage. ‘JBG 19034’ is similar to its male parent in flower color and shape, having a large, dark flower eye, and exhibiting rich green colored foliage. However, ‘JBG 19034’ differs from its male parent in having smaller flowers and petals, as well as a smaller overall plant size and slower growth rate.

When ‘JBG 19034’ is compared toHibiscus rosa-sinensisvariety named ‘MH-05’ (unpatented), both varieties have an orange flower color, similar male parentage, and low to moderate growth rate. However, ‘JBG 19034’ has a darker colored and more prominent flower eye, the petals of ‘MH-05’ are more ruffled, and the flowers of the new variety are longer lasting than those of ‘MH-05’.

The following traits distinguish ‘JBG 19034’ as a new and distinct cultivar from otherHibiscusvarieties known to the breeder:1. Intense orange flower color:2. Naturally compact growth habit;3. High quantity of open flowers at the same time;4. Shiny and waxy foliage; and5. Multiple buds present on a single axle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new variety. The plants were grown in 15 cm containers in a heated greenhouse with a minimum temperature of approximately 13° C. and about 30% light shade in the summer months. The color readings and measurements were taken indoors under fluorescent lights with natural light from a window nearby on approximately four month old plants. Color references are primarily to The 1995 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, 3rdEdition, except where general color terms are used.

PLANT

Time to initiate roots: About 12 days at an average of 24° C.Time to develop roots: About 50 days at an average of 21-24° C.Time to produce a finished flowering plant from a rooted cutting: About 12-16 weeks in a 1 gallon/20.0 cm diameter container.Specific disease/pest resistance: Resistance to whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and bacterial leaf spot (Pseudomonasspp.).Heat/cold tolerance: Thrives above 13° C., but expires at temperatures of 0° C. and below.Drought tolerance: Moderate to none.Plant:Type.—Tropical, ornamental shrub.Habit.—Compact with good branching.Height.—22.9 cm from the top of the pot to the top of the plant.Spread.—35.6 cm.Vigor.—Low to moderate.Rooting.—Coarse and well-branched.Stem:Number per plant.—2.Length.—19.1 cm.Width.—1.0 cm.Texture.—Immature: Slightly textured. Mature: Heavily textured and rough.Strength.—Firm.Branch number.—7.Internode length.—2.5 cm.Color.—Immature: 183A and 144B. Mature: 199B.Stipules.—Number per node: 2. Shape: Spinose. Length: 8.0 mm. Width: 1.0 mm. Surface texture: Smooth. Apex: Acute. Base: Linear. Margin: Entire. Color: 143A at the tip and 59A at the base.Foliage:Arrangement.—Alternate.Size of leaf.—Length: 9.5 cm. Width: 7.6 cm.Shape of leaf(generally).—Ovate.Shape of apex.—Acute.Shape of base.—Rounded.Texture.—Upper surface: Smooth and waxy, with a slight texture from venation. Lower surface: Slightly rough, with pubescence and texture from venation.Margin type.—Crenate.Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: 141A. Lower surface: 146A. Mature leaves: Upper surface: 135A. Lower surface: 146A.Veins.—Venation type: Palmate. Color: Upper surface: 137A. Lower surface: 137C.Petole.—Length: 3.2 cm. Diameter: 3.0 mm. Texture: Slightly textured. Color: 143A in the lower surface center and 187A on the upper surface and remainder of the lower surface.

FLOWERS

SEEDS