It's time to read and vote for your favorite article in the 2013 Write-Off Contest! The four finalist's articles are featured in the May 13 newsletter and can be found through this link. Hurry! Voting ends May 18.
You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
Hardiness: USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade
Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: Mid Summer Late Summer/Early Fall
Foliage: Herbaceous
Other details: Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information: Patented
Propagation Methods: From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall From seed; stratify if sowing indoors Direct sow as soon as the ground can be worked From seed; sow indoors before last frost From seed; direct sow after last frost From seed; germinate in a damp paper towel From seed; germinate in vitro in gelatin, agar or other medium Scarify seed before sowing
Seed Collecting: Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
On Feb 4, 2013, spiersy from Sarnia, prov. of Ontario Canada wrote:
we have three kinds of hibiscus here (Sarnia, Ontario, N7S 4C8)
1) rose of sharon-light green, spade shaped leaves, various types
2) rose mallow-light green, spade shaped leaves, various types
then we have mine
3) "dinnerplate" hibiscus - dark green, deeply split, three lobed leaves. about 3-4 feet high. impressive just for the foliage. mistaken by neighbours for K2 or tundra marijuna. flowers 9 to 14 inches across depending on how many were blooming at once.the flower is configured just like the "lord baltimore".
On Sep 24, 2011, sandkisses from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL wrote:
Until this year all of my hibiscus have produced beautiful blooms 9 out of 12 months. Mine have made it through multiple freezes, including the time the sprinkler was accidentally turned on and encapsulated the plant in ice. This is a lovely addition to every landscape.
On Jul 19, 2011, braun06 from Peoria Heights, IL (Zone 5b) wrote:
This hibiscus is a strong performer in my yard. Althought mine started flowering later than others in the area this summer it grew huge from a 2 gallon container last summer. This year it is 5' tall but perhaps spreading a healthy 6' wide. There will be plenty of flowers.
On Aug 8, 2010, pandybear from Fenelon Falls Canada wrote:
I have just bought one of these magnificent plants and am in zone 3! I believe it is hardy enough to winter over. I have it in a pot right now but will get it into the ground shortly, once I find the perfect place for it! I would love to have several, but will see how this one does this winter!
On Oct 14, 2008, munchkin44 from Fairview, TN wrote:
This is the second year I have had this plant. It was 8 ft. tall and 9 ft. wide. Covered most of the summer with giant blooms. I did have a small green worm that got some of the leaves but since it was a place birds waited for their turn at the feeder, they got a lot of them. Humming birds and butterflies loved it!
On Sep 22, 2005, figaro52 from Oak Lawn, IL (Zone 5a) wrote:
Incredible Hibiscus! I planted two of these side by side. Now, in their second summer they are over 6 feet tall, and the brilliant red blossoms measure about 10 inches in diameter! Both plants have started a second bloom cycle! I recommend using plant props early in the season to support the heavy branches that form later on. This plant is late to emerge in the spring, but makes up for lost time! Very fast grower. Quite a show of blooms!! Truly one of the highlights of my garden this year!
On Jul 22, 2004, katieflower from Shawnee Mission, KS wrote:
The Rose Mallow 'Lord Baltimore' is easy even for someone without a green thumb. Mine doubled in size in just one season. I would like it to be more bushy; mine is not in full sun, perhaps that is why it is tall but not bushy.
The earth is claylike in this area of Kansas and we have standing water problems, yet it seems to do well. One nursery told me to not pull off the cup that holds the spent bloom. Another said, not true.
On Jul 3, 2004, msbobolink from Tompkinsville, KY wrote:
I have had this plant for several years and it's a reliable bloomer, here in southern Kentucky, with very large blooms...except for the one year that the japanese beetles went unchecked and enjoyed the blooms instead. I didn't realize that this plant should be kept moist and I planted it in a rather dry spot in full sun and I planted it before I had much experience with growing flowers and didn't even enrich the poor soil it's in...but it seems to like it there and does very well. The only complaint I have about this plant is that its foliage isn't very attractive. A couple of years, I pruned it before it bloomed to see if a more compact plant would be less weedy looking...the plant did look a little better but I sacrificed size of blooms. Lots more blooms but smaller size. All in all I'd have to say that it's worth the unsightly foliage for the spectacular display of huge bright red blooms.
Second year since I bought mine, second year the leaves have been decimated by some kind of small green worm. Small but FAST working, and in large numbers. I blamed the Japanese beetles the first year, and they may still play a part, but it's the little worms that really did the damage. Something keeps getting the new leaves as they try to return. The few blossoms we got were spectacular, but I plan to move the plant to a less prominent spot because it's so unsightly. I'm in a warm Zone 8 location.
7 vendors have this plant for sale.
