Like tar? You know a lot of municipalities are suffering from tar leaf - that's because when the leaves are picked up, they are re-cycled and used for compost. It doesn't kill the tar/rust disease.
I didn't know it could affect other
plants though - I thought it was just the
trees.
I would keep the hibiscus away from any other
plants - you might have to snip the damaged leaves off - also spray with a light solution of detergent just in case it is a bug.
I'm sorry you had that problem - I just love hibiscus. I haven't seen them in the
plant stores lately - even when I was up to Home Depot's gardening centre. Jeff asked about them at a centre up by the supermarket and the guy told him they aren't available right now - guess they're not exporting them much.
I like (if I can) to buy them small and grow them myself - I don't like getting them big and putting them in.