Rose of China, Hanbat Arboretum Tropical Garden If any single plant had to be selected as emblematic of the tropics, it would very likely be HIbiscus, the flowers of which brighten gardens from Bali to Florida. The genus contains somes 200 species, but the most commonly grown is H. rosa-sinensis. Some (though not all) authorities believe this to be a native of China; in any event, it has now spr..