The city flower of Chengdu is the hibiscus, and the name "Rongcheng" (Hibiscus City) comes from it.

The city flower of Chengdu is the hibiscus, known botanically as the cotton rose hibiscus (Hibiscus mutabilis), a deciduous shrub or small tree of the genus Hibiscus in the mallow family. Its flowers are large and brilliantly colored, blooming mostly from the turn of summer and autumn into late autumn, and it is precisely because of its deep ties with this city that Chengdu has earned the alternate names Rongcheng and Hibiscus City.

Legend has it that during the Five Dynasties period, hibiscus was planted all over inside and outside the city of Chengdu, and when the flowers bloomed they stretched out like brocade, which is how the name Hibiscus City was passed down. Later the hibiscus was officially designated the city flower of Chengdu, becoming the city's most representative botanical calling card, and it can often be seen in parks, along streets and by riverbanks.

In terms of characteristics, the most interesting thing about the cotton rose hibiscus is that the flower color changes over time: it is mostly white or pale pink when it first opens in the morning, and gradually turns deep red in the afternoon, hence the saying that it changes three times in a day. It likes a warm, humid climate and plenty of sunlight, is not demanding about soil, tolerates pruning and is easy to keep alive, making it very suitable for courtyard planting and roadside landscaping.

In terms of uses, besides its ornamental value, the hibiscus has a fairly developed root system and is often planted on slopes and waterfronts to stabilize soil and protect embankments. Its flowers and leaves also have a folk tradition of being brewed as tea or used as medicine. For routine care, you only need to prune dead branches and keep the soil moist, and by autumn you can enjoy a tree full of blossoms.