Hibiscus plants will sometimes develop "sports". Usually, they are just limited to the branch showing the different bloom/feature and if it bugs you, you can prune it off.

It is not one stem but the whole plant. I plan on starting more from this one to see if it stays the same or reverts to the orignal color. I don't mind it as it is rather pretty

Oh, that is interesting. Since your shrub is potted, used to bloom differently and it is now the whole plant suddenly sporting, I would then look for mineral issues next.

I bought a camellia that produced a late sandy colored bloom late in the season... at the nursery that is. So I liked it, bought it, planted it outside and the next Fall, it bloomed pink and white (the correct colors per the plant label). I therefore assumed that the sandy colored bloom I saw was just getting old for one, might have been affected by our hot weather and-or that the nursery may not have been adequately feeding it. I too did not mind keeping it as the white/pink blooms were nice.

I am not sure where you live but I have observed some of my summer blooming large bloom plants, they produce blooms that are not as many, as large or are plain different off colors when temps are in the daily 100s. All those were planted in the ground, not in pots. But maybe in your pot, there is some mineral or weather induced condition that causes this bloom color thru the whole plant. It should be interesting to note if future blooms (later this season and later next year) continue this way.

Well I use the same medium for all my hibiscus and clay pots. This flower reminds me of the Black Dream hibiscus only lighter in color. I am going to let it get bigger before I take some cutting and see what have. I am on the coast, across the bay from Galveston.

Yes, but BD is darker. It does resemble it somewhat.

Coastal weather does not usually change too too much so I would probably cross that off. Check the potting soil pH; acidic levels should be ok. Alkaline levels might cause some "malnutrition". It may explain why last year it was blooming ok and not this year. It also would affect the whole plant.

Are you getting pounded by rain the last three days too or are you dry-ish? I am not sure how far the rainy weather extends but I got 2.5 on Th and 4.5 on Fr and more today. Even the dog did not want to go outside today to do potties due to it raining hard. today. Man, this is supposed to be ole dry Texas but the Fall rains are impressive this year here! Hee hee hee.

We had 7 1/2" of rain since Friday, dry so far today, may get to mow this swamp in a day or two if it stays dry.

That was wrong, I had that rain since Wednesday. I got my days all messed up.