Does anyone grow these out? I can pot them but would love to have them planted out in yard. CS is on the 8b/9a border.
Anne
blue hibiscus
I think the Blue Hibiscus is kin to what we call Althea or Rose of Sharon shrub. I have many Althea shrubs in my yard and they grow and bloom great. Very disease resistant too. I live north of your zone area so I'm sure you could grow your plant in the ground with no trouble. We also have regular hibiscus plants in the ground here but they are slower to come back after the winter freezes. Once they come up though and get going they are beautiful.
The Blue Hibiscus is a beautiful plant. Good luck with yours.
Lin
Ann, I found an excellent website that may answer all your questions.
http://www.hibiscus.org/species/ahuegelii.php
At one time I thought about getting one to plant in the ground and did some research on its needs. The major difficulties for growing this plant in the ground would be to find a very sandy or "sandy-gravel spot in the garden and one that has a low phosphorus content. I have the sandy soil, but our soil has a high phosphate content. Most Texas soils do. Blue hibiscus is very sensitive to it. You may want to test the planting spot for phosphates.
Thanks Betty, I guess that I'll just keep it in pots.
Anne