Plunging a hibiscus pot?

I am brand-new to the wonderful world of hibiscus, having just received my first as a gift from a dear friend. I'm sitting here looking at my new "Me Oh My Oh" and trying to decide where she would be happiest.

I'm in Tucson, AZ--the desert southwest, where summer temps are frequently around 105 F and usually very very dry, and winters will typically get at least a couple medium/hard freezes. Average annual rainfall is around 12 inches.

I have 2 plumerias that are in 5-gallon pots plunged into the ground to keep them a bit more temperature-stable, and they're loving it. They get sun most of the day, with a little afternoon shade, and are on the once-a-day drip system.

Does this seem like a good situation for my new hibiscus? If I plunge her pot, I would be easily able to bring her inside during the winter so she doesn't get too cold.

Here's the set-up with one of my plumies. I would put the hibiscus a little ways away since they both have the possibility of getting big...

...and here's my new baby! She's in a not-quite 1-gallon pot right now, and I'm thinking to plunge it as-is for the moment, and pot her up to a larger pot perhaps for next summer.

Does this seem like a reasonable plan? I'm so new to this, and want to take good care of my friend's gift, all advice will be much appreciated!

My plumies seem to enjoy a little bit more sun than my hibiscus do so if you've got an area with a little bit more PM shade that might be ideal. But mine are all in pots above ground, so I don't know if they might be able to take a bit more sun if you sink the pot in the ground. They also need more water than my plumies do, although I don't know that they'd need to be watered more than the once a day watering that you're already doing (my hibiscus in pots get watered every other day when it's hot out, vs the plumies get watered once every 4-5 days)

Saw Me Oh My Oh pictured & it is a very beautiful Hibiscus. Welcome to the wonderful world of Hibiscus, this forum & our addiction.

Judy

I would think the only difference may be how often you have to water when you're comparing being in a pot above ground vs sinking it into the ground. You shouldn't have to water as often if you sink it into the ground. I have to agree that some afternoon shade would be very beneficial during the summer in the desert. Jill, have you thought about leaving it outside during the winter and only bringing it inside of nights when its supposed to get below 40 degrees? That can't be too many winter nights in Tucson and this way it will continue to bloom for you year round.

Jon

Thanks, all, for your advice--I appreciate it! It sounds like there's nothing to lose by plunging the pot, perhaps in a little more shade than the plumies get, and it's working so well for the plumies I think the hibiscus will like it too.

Jon, that's a great idea--will have to keep that in mind. My yard tends to be on the cold end of the zone and I'd rather be safe than sorry with this special plant, but I would sure love a nice long bloom season!

Now to get up the energy to go dig a hole--105 degrees and rocky soil are definitely not my favorite combo! :)

Thanks again! I hope to be posting a picture or two next summer! :)

Another idea would be to keep the pot in the ground in partial shade in the summer and keep the pot above ground in a sunnier location during the cooler months of approximately Oct-April. The reason I picked 40 degrees as a minimum temperature to bring it inside for those nights was to be safe rather than sorry. All of them can handle temperatures down for 40, but each variety can be a little different when the temperatures get closer to freezing. By keeping it outside year round you'll get blooms year round. The blooms are also much more vivid in coloration during the cooler months and you won't want to miss out on seeing those blooms.
I noticed your hibiscus has little foliage right now, so water it a little on the light side right now and only when its pretty dry. It currently doesn't have the need for a lot of water to support the foliage. Once the foliage fills in then you can increase the watering.

Jon

Can do--thanks, Jon! I feel like I need all the help I can get--most of my plants are in the "survival of the fittest" category, but this one is special. :)