Resurrecting a Hula Girl

Last winter the patio pot in which my yellow Hula Girl was planted became water logged because the roots had blocked the container's drain. I didn't realize that until at least a week had passed. I replanted and normal drainage was restored. Soon thereafter the leaves began falling off. All this spring and summer I hoped that new leaves would appear but so far nothing. I've clipped off some of the branches and the wood inside is green so I think the Hula Girl is still alive. I don't know whether to just leave it alone and hope for the best or whether to cut the branches down to the base of the plant. The plant is around 3 feet tall and 2 1/2 wide. It has a solid trunk with around 5 branches. Last year it was at its most beautiful multiple blooms up to November when the rains came. Any suggestions on how to revive this Hula Girl?

I have also had this happen to hibiscus, usually caused by poor drainage or too much water. The plant quickly loses vigor, leaves fall off and then it dies. Not much to be done about it; probably best to start with a new plant. Good luck.

FWIW, I had one outside that looked like that. It had gotten frost-bit, then we had another cold snap, and all the leaves fell off. It looked exactly like yours. I kept checking the wood, and it was green. I really wanted to dig it up and put something in its place, but I waited. And waited. Finally I saw a teeny green leave emerge from the bottom. I waited. It took forever, it seems, but the leaf started growing. It took quite a while (same growing season, however) but now it is about 2 feet tall again and growing. Hasnt bloomed this year, tho, but it is growing.

Best thing is to repot give the roots a good washing and then with a good fresh potting soil that is not to heavy you can repot add a little root stemulater (sorry can't spell this AM) or something that won't burn the roots. Maybe add a few more holes to the pot and keep it sitting on something that allows it to drain through all the holes. Well that's what I do for what it's worth.....Gene
BTW I would never cut it back more than a third

Thanks for the suggestion and encouragement. Although it drains just fine after I cleared out the stopped drain I didn't really replant it. I think I'll try Gene's suggestion of repotting it entirely. I hate to give up on it since it produced such a plethora of beautiful blooms not long ago. The Northern California rainy season begins in a bit over two months. I hope I don't have to drag the huge pot into the house!

Is there any way you could drag it under an eave or something to keep it on the drier side during the rainy season? Even healthy hibiscus hate wet feet in the winter.

I could drag it under a tree. There are no overhanging eaves and it really is too big to bring inside. While it always stopped blooming during the rainy season it never appeared unhealthy until last winter when the pool of water distressed it. Perhaps it would be better to plant it into the earth. In any case I will ensure that it is kept as much out of the pouring rain as much as possible.