Native to North America, it has a dark, almost black foliage topped with thin, bottlebrush-like white flowers. Part of the hibiscus family ... these plants flower from April to September.

Costa Farms' BloomSelect hibiscus line is hand-picked from exclusive new hybrids by in-house horticulture experts at Graff ...

The question can lead to spirited debate in soul food restaurants, at cookouts and in Black ... hibiscus seeds to the Caribbean, the first port of call on the slave route, where the plant thrived.