Hibiscus in Baltimore?

I was talking to a friend in Baltimore on Sunday. She's uncertain as to whether she should put her last Hibiscus seedlings in the ground this year or wait.

I know nothing about Hibiscus. Apparently they do well in Baltimore in the summer. Is the winter too cold?

I'm assuming they're hardy hibiscus not tropicals? Even if they're hardies, if they're pretty small it might be better to wait, little tiny plants aren't going to stand up to winter as well as bigger ones would.

Hi ecrane!! You're everywhere. LOL

I didn't know there was a difference, actually. I'll have to check. But I'll let her know, too, that maybe she should wait until the plant is a little older. Apparently it's growing like crazy in its pot, so I don't think it's suffering . . .

I'm a Baltimore area newbie and would be grateful for advice on caring for a five-foot hardy hibiscus over the winter months - should it be cut back, left alone, or something else? Many thanks.

I don't cut mine back until spring. That way I know for sure where they are. I'm not as likely to dig into them with the dead canes sticking up.

Many thanks for the tip, Brugie. I would appreciate knowing what height you recommend.

I leave my hardy hibiscus until spring as well - even though my partner doesn't understand that they provide "winter interest". After I've done my spring planting, I cut back the dead canes as close to the ground as I can manage (Usually 1-2 inches above the ground). I know in a few more years, this will get to be a stubbly mess (kind of like me after two days without shaving). I guess at that point I'll have to think about dividing.

Andy