Pictures would really help, we at least should find out what kind of plant it is, different tropical plants have very different needs. If you would like you can also email me the picture at CSchunk@gmail.com. Otherwise, you can edit the size of a picture in the "paint" program, if you run windows it should be automatically installed on your computer.

Thanks. Yes, it's really neat it can survive here in zone 7a. This is actually my nearby relativeÂs plant, by their porch. I know she had it as a large house plant a couple of years ago because I remember looking at how large and wide it was, I was guessing that she planted it around last spring of 2008 probably because it was getting to large for inside. But I'm highly confident it really went though last winter unprotected because the whole trunk was dead which I think is from the freezes last winter. It got down to about 9F here one morning last winter, also I read of a person in SC that has had it in the ground in zone 8a for over 25 years, during that time it has at least reached 5F briefly there. So in good growing conditions it seems like it is at least hardy in most zone 7b winters, maybe even a little more colder with some winter mulch cover and well draining soil. It's funny most sites say it's only hardy to zone 9. It surely does much better and grows larger in zone 9 but I think it can at least survive ok in many zone 7 winters, definitely zone 8, especially if given winter mulch cover.

I'll add my voice to the choir that it's a schefflera. You do see them now and then around the valley. There's one on the NE side of Scottsdale Fashion Square too. The small leaf one is Schefflera arboricola, also sometimes called miniature schefflera or Hawaiian schefflera. It has the same hardiness and is another plant I see now and then around the Valley. There's a nice big one in the courtyard of Scottsdale Marketplace on Scottsdale road. Both are good houseplants too of course, and both are a bit of a gamble outside, but even after this winter I see them looking pretty good still. Let us know if you grow one indoors or out. Take care, Grant

Britt, It looks like a tropical hibiscus. I have no idea which one. I do grow a Texas Star Hibiscus that is very similar to it, but not identical. I've linked some photos of various hibiscus plants that are similar to yours. Maybe someone else will know exactly which hibiscus you have. Dawn Here is a link that might be useful: Images of Texas Star Hibiscus