Hibiscus. What are you thinking when you hear that word? Maybe exotic tropical flowers, or Pacific Islands full of scented shrubs? Or parched and neglected suburban gardens? Perhaps two-tone patterned board shorts! Yes, they're all part of the great Hibiscus imagery.

But take a step back, or forward, into the Illawarra Hibiscus space and we have some amazing local habitat plants that dodge the stereotypes and produce beautiful pink and white flowers that attract all sorts of insects. The most common is Native Hibiscus (Hibiscus heterophyllus), with a white flower often tinged with pink. 

Native Hibiscus is the most common of the local native Hibiscus plants and can be seen in a range of woodland and forest habitats across the Illawarra region, particularly in the intermediate area (ecotone) between eucalypt-dominated forests and rainforest.

It can be an attractive small tree to 5m in open areas, but may grow taller if it's subjected to shady conditions. Every part of Native Hibiscus is ornamental, from the leaves and flowers to the flower buds and the spent buds after flowering.

There are also other native Hibiscus indigenous to the Illawarra, though none so common as Hibiscus heterophyllus. In particular the Pink Hibiscus (H. splendens) has been recorded for decades, but with a much more restricted distribution, largely confined to creekside vegetation alongside Towradgi Creek.

It's even prettier than Native Hibiscus, with its all-pink flowers and velvety leaves. What a shame that it isn't more widely cultivated along the east-flowing creeks from the Illawarra escarpment.