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We always celebrate when the Hibiscus moscheutos bloom. These easy native perennials largely care for themselves. Although they die back to the ground each autumn, they grow quickly once their stems finally appear again in late spring.
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Native Hibiscus prove very accommodating and will grow in a variety of conditions. Seen most commonly in the wild near water, they appreciate a little irrigation when the weather turns hot and dry. They grow in a variety of soils from partial shade to full sun. Happy, well irrigated plants grow to between four and five feet tall.
We let them seed themselves around and grow where they will, always delighted when their colorful blooms quite suddenly appear in mid-summer. Each stem may produce a half dozen or more buds. Once the flowers fade, interesting seed capsules ripen and persist into winter. Many of our songbirds enjoy pecking ripe seeds from the open capsules until we finally cut their dried stems down.
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While many cultivars of H. moscheutos are available on the market, I believe that most of ours are the species. We planted H. ‘Kopper King’ about four years ago and it has grown into a large and vigorous plant. Various Hibiscus volunteers in our garden bloom deep pink, light pink or white. We see them, too, in the marshes along the James River and creeks that feed it.
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Native Hibiscus prove a reliable, hardy and very beautiful perennial in our garden. We have more native Hibiscus species yet to bloom; and the Asian Hibiscus syriacus, or woody Rose of Sharon, is in the midst of its much longer season of bloom.
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The woody shrub form of Asian Hibiscus also seeds itself around the garden, growing quickly from seedling to blooming tree in just a few years. Although new cultivars are introduced each year, we have four or five different flower colors and forms which keep us quite happy. A non-native, it also feeds many creatures with its nectar, pollen, leaves and seeds.
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It is fabulous to enjoy a plethora of gorgeous showy flowers with very little effort on our part during this muggiest part of summer. It is also fabulous to watch the beautiful and varied bees, butterflies and hummingbirds that visit to enjoy their abundant pollen and sweet nectar each day.
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Woodland Gnome 2018
Fabulous Friday: Happiness is contagious;
let’s infect one another!
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“Seize the moments of happiness,
love and be loved!
That is the only reality in the world, all else is folly.
It is the one thing we are interested in here.”
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Leo Tolstoy
That is a hibiscus that I have not seen in a long time. The rose of Sharon is somewhat common here, and the tropical hibiscus are more popular in Southern California. Yet, the North American hibiscus are never seen.
Ours still grow wild here, but largely in protected lands like National Parks. Mostly cultivars are available commercially. People plant what they can easily find, unless they truly care about native plants and seed out the species intentionally. Hope you are well and well away from the wildfires. Best, WG
You know, while the rest of the continent is getting unseasonable warmth, our weather had been unseasonably mild. For a while, it was actually warmer in Portland than in San Jose! Once it finally started to get warm here a few days ago, it never got warmer than 100 degrees. It should stay less than 90 degrees this week. The fires are also keeping their distance so far. We sort of expect them, but it has not happened locally yet.
I’m glad to hear that all is well. I was amazed to see that low in the 30s in Portland last week. Our climate is definitely in transition. We have a break from the heat yesterday and today, and hope for more rain and less heat than is forecast next week. Stay well 😉
30s?
Yes, 30s. That is warm for Portland.
I saw they had a night time low in Portland around 38 last week. Our night time lows have been mostly in the 70s, sometimes low 80s. Hard to grow summer veggies when it gets so cool at night.
Now I am confused between Celsius and Fahrenheit. 30s would be warm during the day in Celsius, but quite cool at night in Fahrenheit. It does not often get very warm in Portland, but it should not get so cool at night in July either.
Tony, those were F temps that I saw towards the end of last week. You’re right, it shouldn’t get that cool in July. It set a record, as I recall.
ahhh – I actually was wondering about some of the varieties and this was informative – and images and words paired so well (beautiful)
Happiness is contagious….
ahhh
Such beautiful flowers! I’m sipping hibiscus tea as I type this! 🙂
and I have hibiscus in bloom – 🙂