Hibiscus Acetosella (or is it H. Sabdariffa?)

I wintersowed a few seeds and only one survived. In Feb. 2006 I transplanted the 6" seedling inground, even though I knew it was awfully young. Fast forward to Oct 2006. I stand admiring my 8' tall, 4' wide shrub, amazed at how well it grew with little attention. Then the unthinkable happens: strong winds came thru my area and blew over my hibiscus, causing it to break 6" from the ground. I was devastated. I debated whether I should cut off and clean the mess but a trusted friend discouraged me from doing that. Instead, I just let it lay like groundcover, hoping I would still get some blooms and hopefully some seeds.

The broken shrub is full of blooms, this is one of the first. I am glad I didn't cut & haul it off. I am not totally sure if what I have is h. acetosella or h. sabdariffa. But in any case, I hope to get seeds and grow this beauty every year. BTW, the plant was staked but the winds were so strong that it was badly broken anyway.

This message was edited Nov 18, 2006 11:20 AM

here is the break at the base of the plant (ouch!)

here is a far view, just letting it be. This plant is an annual for me. I also grew it from seed in 2004 & 2005, but it has never returned, despite our mild winters. In all years this hibiscus was planted inground as a seedling and grew to an impressive size.

It is nice to hear that they hang in that well. It's a beauty!

trois

Is it the same plant as this ?
False Roselle Hibiscus (Hibiscus acetosella) (Other common names: Red-Leaf Hibiscus, African Rose Mallow, Scarlet Rose Mallow)

I love this plant and it's beautiful flowers !

That is truly special. The color combination with the purple leaves and pink flowers is really beautiful. Will have to check that one out and see how hardy it is.

I never imagined it ever being as beautiful as it is :)) The pictures don't even do it justice. I just order some more seeds . My understanding they grow into blooming plants real fast, then cutting can be taken to root, and it re-seeds real easy and fast it self. I need several of them their so pretty !

ardesia my understanding it is very hardy even grown by seeds grows tall and blooms fast. Looks like I will be getting three small plants from our home we sold next door and I order 24 seeds so I will have plants to share :))