As some of may know, I started some seeds in late spring that we had in the freezer. The label had fallen off so I didn't know for sure what they were... I thought they were Abelmoschus aka 'Abel Moses', which is a form of hibiscus, but I was incorrect.
Turns out the seeds were from a Texas Star that we had about 20+ years ago, so they have been in the freezer for a LONG time... Only 1 out of 26 was still viable & I have been nursing it along all summer. It finally started blooming yesterday, so I hope to replenish my seed bank from this one plant.
For those that are not familiar with this type of hibiscus, it is a slender shrubby perennial that dies back in winter and re-sprouts in the spring & it must be protected from freezing. As with most hibiscus, the flowers last only one day but new ones continue to open all summer and into the fall. They do best in full sun & they need plenty of water to bloom. The scarlet hibiscus occurs naturally in swamps, marshes and ditches, along the Gulf coast. Established plants can have one to several stems up to 7 feet tall, mine is about 3 1/2 feet tall. The five petaled flowers are brilliant crimson red and anywhere from 6-8 inches across.
Turns out the seeds were from a Texas Star that we had about 20+ years ago, so they have been in the freezer for a LONG time... Only 1 out of 26 was still viable & I have been nursing it along all summer. It finally started blooming yesterday, so I hope to replenish my seed bank from this one plant.
For those that are not familiar with this type of hibiscus, it is a slender shrubby perennial that dies back in winter and re-sprouts in the spring & it must be protected from freezing. As with most hibiscus, the flowers last only one day but new ones continue to open all summer and into the fall. They do best in full sun & they need plenty of water to bloom. The scarlet hibiscus occurs naturally in swamps, marshes and ditches, along the Gulf coast. Established plants can have one to several stems up to 7 feet tall, mine is about 3 1/2 feet tall. The five petaled flowers are brilliant crimson red and anywhere from 6-8 inches across.
