Hibiscus is the image of a tropical flower. In the Okinawan language, it is called “akabanana. In fact, there is a hibiscus paradise called “Iejima Hibiscus Garden” on Iejima Island in Okinawa!
Iejima is a remote island 30 minutes by ferry from Motobu Port in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island. Iejima Island is also the home of the Japan Hibiscus Association! The Iejima Hibiscus Garden has more than 1,000 varieties of hibiscus! You can enjoy hibiscus in an astonishing variety of colors.
Types of Hibiscus
In fact, there are many different types of hibiscus!
Hawaiian type: Gorgeous and rich in color variation. It is delicate and highly appreciable.
Coral type: The petals are often cut at the edge and bloom in a frilly manner. The main color is red.
Old type: This is a generic name for varieties that are old when they were bred and became the mother of Hawaiian types. Many of them have medium or small flowers, and they grow vigorously and flower well.
Iejima Original: A new variety created at the Iejima Hibiscus Garden.
It is said that when hibiscus is crossed, more and more new varieties are produced!
Hibiscus hybrids and grafting
Hibiscus flowers are pollinated by pollen from the stamens on the pistils of other hibiscus varieties, and there is also the fun of growing hibiscus by cross-pollination! It’s nice to germinate and grow hibiscus while getting excited about what kind of flowers will bloom, isn’t it?
I visited a hibiscus garden when I stayed on Iejima Island in the past, and I could see new varieties being germinated and grafted. There was also a hibiscus with a unique name named by a student on a school excursion!
Iejima is a remote island easily accessible from the main island
Iejima is a remote island, but it is easily accessible by a 30-minute ferry ride from the main island of Okinawa. The island is famous for its “Lily Festival,” but hibiscus flowers can be enjoyed year-round, so if you want to go to a remote island for sightseeing in Okinawa, Iejima is a good place to visit!
At the Iejima Hibiscus Garden, you can also purchase a new species of hibiscus to take home with you. You can also buy new species of hibiscus at Iejima Hibiscus Garden and take them home with you!
