Anyone besides me go to the HVH open house today?

If not, it was a wonderful afternoon at Hidden Valley Hibiscus. The weather was just gorgeous and they had just a ton of 6", 8" and some really outstanding 2 gallons. He had at least a half dozen large gorgeous Voodoo Magic. Don't think I wasn't tempted just because I already have a little one, lol. As always Charles Black was charming and informative, as was his webmaster/helper Cindy. They didn't have as large a selection of 4" as I was hoping, but I suppose they'll have more that size in upcoming months.

What I did end up with though (and I'm patting myself on the back for not overspending for once), was a 4" Saffron, and two 2-gallons - Magnifique and The Color Purple. Guess I was in a purple mood today :-) I've been eyeing (more like drooling over) Magnifique on the DuPont site for quite a while, and to find one so large and FULL of buds - well, I just couldn't pass it up. The Color Purple, although not on the HVH website, I have seen at their open houses last year, but they weren't blooming. This one had a wonderful dark purple single bloom that called to me (karen, buy me! buy me! quick, I'm the only one here, buy me before someone else does!).

In talking to Cindy, they'll be updating their website within the next few days. I'm not sure if they'll post their Voodoo Magic, but odds are that they might. All 2-gallons were very large and absolutely brimming with buds :-)

I'll post pics in the next couple days.

karen

Karen,

Sounds like you had a great time. the color purple sounds really nice.and I have a small magnifique, it bloomed as a 6 inch cutting! Is a nice one too.Similar to my ooh la la I have. You should have taken pics at the sale or don't they allow that?I would love to see the facility in bloom.

Kyle
:-)

No, they do allow pictures. Next month I'll have to take my camera. Their greenhouse is located elsewhere. The sale is out front of their home. He really had a lot of plants in bloom this time. Even though the plants are all in a small area, my mom and I were there a couple hours, just because we couldn't decide what to purchase! Among others, mom got a large Living Legend. Charles had quite a lot of this one to choose from, and the blooms were beautiful - actually, much prettier in person than on the website.

Another cultivar that was out in force was Belle De Jour. I already have a baby of this one (no blooms yet, very small plant), but I've got to say, the blooms were huge and just beyond stunning. Mom gave in (she's obviously less broke than me, lol), and although she already has a little one like mine, she purchased a ver large 6" with 8 buds and a bloom - gorgeous!

I've been on disability and living in my bubble for a number of months (pretty much confined to house and yard due to an immune disorder), it was nice to finally be feeling a little better and be allowed out to roam!

So happy to hear you are feeling better amarantha. Enjoy those new hibiscus babies.

Glad you were able to get out and enjoy some beautiful flowers and fresh air.

Thanks for the nice wishes guys. You have no idea how nice it is to at least be able to get out a little bit now :-) I'm telling you that all the time I've had to spend in the bubble (chained to the house), I have really been blessed to be able to pursue my passion - obviously, gardening and especially Hibiscus!!

Karen, sorry to hear you've been ill- but you know the good news is that Hibiscus are medicinal, so buy up as many as you need to until you start feeling better! lol...it's a totally justifiable expense.

Actually, I guess that's only half a joke- somebody gave me some hibiscus tea that's supposed to be all kinds of homeopathic...hmmm.

And do post pics of the Magnifique when it blooms!- I got one last year, but it didn't make it overwinter and I never got a bloom.