Enlightenment

Enlightment, one of Barry Schlueter's offspring is blooming really well. Still not up to last year's beauty but getting there. Isn't spring wonderful? Hey, Jon, did you & your beautiful Hibs survive?

Hugs,
Judy

Wow, that's a great one Judy. Really like the yellow ones and don't have enough of them. "Bon Temps" (a yellow one) has consistently been my best bloomer this winter/spring. The plant itself is so well shaped and branched which gives it a blooming advantage over the other hibiscus. It seems to have had one or more blooms everyday for the past month now.

Thanks for asking about my hibs this winter. They all survived just fine with no damage. Every potted plant was brought into the house on two separate occasions and all the in ground plants were kept heavily watered prior to the cold nights. A couple of the flower beds were covered two nights with bed sheets. There were four nights, all in January, with temperatures from 30-35 degrees and many nights with temps in the 40's. It was the coldest winter since 1977 and I loved every minute of it. It was such a refreshing change and I didn't mind the extra work it required. My brother in Sarasota, FL wasn't as lucky. They had several nights in the mid 20's. He lost several hibiscus plants and most all of them lost their foliage. The "alive" ones have bounced back with new foliage, but it took a couple of months.

Tried a few different flowers for the first time this winter. Of all the new ones tried I would say that the Ranunculus have been my favorite. Will be growing those every winter from now on. Just love em.

You had some wacky weather this winter also. I do believe you bring as much as you can inside? Did everything/most things manage well....I hope?

Jon

I put everything in my 10 x12 GH. My electric bill was awful. I'm still waiting to see if my garden variety made it. They were stuck under a shelf on the floor....less light & heat. Tried to keep it at least 40 or higher. Battled aphids & spider mites but the cultivated varieties are doing good. So glad to get everything outside. I've cut the GV back & some are leafing out good. Will give the others time. Was so surprised to see some of my Brugs
that were in pots & I thought real goners are sprouting new growth at the base. Was just fixing to empty & use the large pots for something else. They were outside all winter! Got to look up Ranunculus. Good to hear from you.

Hugs,
Judy