My addiction started here...

This hibiscus was one that I first saw on DG and bought through a DG co-op. I bought it again this year after giving my first one away, before winter, two years ago.

Purple Magic

Very Pretty :)

Thanks Cat....the hazy picture was just that...haze from my cold camera lens hitting the outside heat and humidity.

That is pretty. It's easy to get addicted to these wonderful plants. Mine started with my mom. She had previously had (and still does) some lovely hardy hibiscus in bright pink, white and orange. Then when she moved into her brand new house and was finding plants for her new yard, she went to Hawaiian Days at Armstrong Gardens and found something called "hotbiscus", which we had never heard of before. She bought two and placed them in her front yard and they were the most beautiful flowers I'd ever seen. So, when we finally got our backyard put in a couple years ago, I was determined to get one of these too. Well, I patiently waited for that year's Hawaiian Days, and the only ones they had didn't look so great. Needless to say, I was crushed! I decided to go online and research this "hotbiscus", finding out about Charles Black and Hidden Valley Hibiscus. Of course, I immediately went online to his website and bought some. I've been more and more hooked ever since. My mom went with me to our first HVH open house last summer and bought a couple, but claimed she wasn't "addicted" like me, lol. Well, we've gone to many more open houses (she doesn't "do" the computer), and as of this last one, she purchased a BUNCH of plants, and told me "well, Karen, I don't know what you've done to me, but I'm ADDICTED now!". We both have a blast with this wonderful flower and compare our pics and plants all the time :-)

karen

Cool story, Karen. It's a great way for the two of you to spend time together, too. I hve heard of hotbiscus, but have no idea what they look like.

I believe that Hotbiscus is just the name patented by Armstrong Gardens for Charles Black's tropical hibiscus. I used to think the brand was only sold at Armstrong, but since then, I've found them at a couple of other nurseries. As a matter of fact, I went to one in Riverside (about 45 minutes from home) when I had to drive my DD somewhere yesterday to see if they had any new ones. I felt lucky to find just one Magic Moments, which I snapped right up (of course). The brand sells for $29.95 in 2 gallon pots - much cheaper than on the HVH website. I think you just have to get lucky to find cultivars you want though - this year I went to three Armstrongs and each one had a ton of Voodoo Queen, which I already have.

Spending the special time with my mom has definitely been one of the best benefits of my being off, she's really been a solace to me with my illness :-)

karen

My addiction started the first time my husband and I visit our oldest son in Sugar Land, Tx.. We went out to eat at a Mexican restaurant and they had tropical hibiscus every where, outside that is. They were beautiful. My husband fell in love with them and of course so didn't I. Matter of fact that was the first time I ever saw a Hibiscus. From that day on I have always had them. I would imagine I have about 25 Tropical and about 14 or 15 Hardies, and 2 Rose of Sharons.

Brugie I got that same flower from the coop we had 3 or 4 years ago. It is a terrific bloomer and has such large blooms. I love it. Yours looks really nice.

I am fighting spider mites right know. I neemed them the other day, then I am going to start water blasting them every time they get watered. They say that does wonders.