Hibiscus plant named ‘Blackberry Merlot’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of winter-hardy, herbaceous, perennial, hybrid Hibiscus plant named ‘Blackberry Merlot’ comprising a compact, upright, mounded habit of multiple, well-branched, basal stems producing flowers beginning in late July for at least eight weeks. Flowers have overlapping, moderately-rippled petals of deep velvety red with dark reddish shiny eye, with the leading margin occasionally folded underneath giving flowers extra strength and resistance to wind damage. The flower buds are dark, purplish gray. The foliage is primarily three-lobed, and rich olive-green with mahogany coloration when young.

I claim: 
     
       1. A new cultivar of hardy herbaceous perennial  Hibiscus  hybrid plant named ‘Blackberry Merlot’ as herein illustrated and described.