Posts Tagged ‘Hibiscus’

Tis the season to replace all the stuff that died over the winter. My favorite Hibiscus guy is gone, alas, but I bought several from his recommended source.

They were decently large, and budded up. They’re at least twice as big as most mail order exotics. In short, they were really good… except that…you know…they’re not David.

Anyway, this was Hibiscus Metallica’s first bloom, and I was trying to get a shot of it, not realizing I was being so closely watched until I edited the photo.

Nice and big, beautiful bush. It’s been 2 days now, and it’s still open with very little color degradation. Definitely a keeper!

Another new-ish one, this is the first bloom since it arrived. Nice growth, fairly big flower.

This is the time of year the hibiscus love- the big heat’s over, and it’s only moderately cool. Now if we could just get some rain, we’d be all set.

Nevertheless, there are buds and blooms everywhere. Here’s one that’s been pretty quiet since I got it- one of the last shipment from David Franzman. (sob)

Rosalind goes for a good 2 and a half days, gradually fading from a rich red into shades of orange. David had to talk me into this one a bit, but I’m so glad he did.

Day 1:

Day 2:

Even this one is budded up and ready to go, which is rare. I can never decide if I really like this one or not. Unusual, for sure. Beautiful? hmmmm….

Now that the weather’s cooled down, the hibs are starting to pop again.

I took a detailed inventory of the hibiscus today, because I’m going to start A Project.

Every so often I have to have A Project, one that I’ll make unduely complicated, in order to play with databases, etc. I’m still a geek-girl at heart, and don’t get to do these things nearly as often as I’d like, hence, Project Creation occurs.

This Project is a hibiscus accouting. I knew I had a lot…I didn’t realize how many. But many of them haven’t bloomed in a while, and there are always more out there, crying out to be brought home and lavished with attention, so I’ve put all of them on notice- bloom or face extermination.

And just how many did you count, I hear you ask? 61.

Sixty One.

Five Dozen. Plus One.

And that doesn’t count the two that are in dire straits and will likely die. Nor does it count the hardies, or the Rose of Sharon that’s technically in the same family.

So far they’ve had a pretty easy life. Cushy, even. Water appears regularly as if by magic, as does a low-grade fertilizer that doesn’t push them too hard. The weeds may not be pulled up the instant they pop their nasty heads up, but things never get too bad in hibiscus land.

Well, no more. I’m going to take a stroll every morning and mark down with a flourish who’s performing, and who’s slacking off. Who’s shamefully dropping their buds instead of popping them open- you hear me, Persimmon? How about you, Curly Top? You think I don’t see your pitiful droppings despite your lush green leaves? What excuse have you?? Hmmmmm?

And if I can whip these buggers into shape, then maybe I can tackle my daughter…lol…

It’s hard to tell with nothing in the background for comparison, but this one is a solid 10 inches across. Very delicate ruffled pinks and yellows. She was hit pretty hard by the caterpillars this year, but is making a comeback.

Another Dupont; blooms in bunches. There’ll be nothing for weeks, then several will pop at once.

There’s just something so damn cheery about an all yellow hib. And a little cheer would be really useful right about now…