Okay I'm just learning about these Hibiscus. I have a few but don't know if they are the variety rosa-sinensis. I would like cuttings of EVERYTHING you mentioned. I have a violet hibiscus Pink hibiscus Dbl Pink, these are all the kind that have leaves that are sorta scalloped and get woody, they are hardy here in NC. I have some other Hibiscus but they are REAL hard (for me) to start from cuttings. Luna Pink (only grows 2 1/2-3') Luna ruby Red (only grows 2 1/2-3') Brandy Punch Let me Know if we can trade Thank you Sharon Cash Zone 7

The fact that you bought these plants at WalMart, tells me that you likely got Rose of Sharon's which are plenty hardy for your area. WalMart would never bring in a plant with such a narrow growing zone. I've seen numerous times on plant stakes or labels "Rose of Sharon - rosa sinensis" at big box stores, smaller hardware/nursery centers and other small garden centers. You would think that labeling would be correct but I would never depend on them being correct. I still take my Sunset Garden Book to the garden center to verify a plant will survive in my zone and/or any specific needs. I'm sure I have the same plant as your 4. My plant loses its leaves over winter. I cut back all the thin branches back to the main stems in Spring. My plant is just beginning to develop leaves. Our weather has been in the 50 - 60's by day and nights are high 30's - 40's. We have had a few days in the 70's but not constant. I'd trim back the spindly branches now but until your soil gets to be around 60 degrees, you won't see much growth. A good garden book for your area would be very helpful to you even if you are not a big time gardener. It's very convenient to be able to run inside to get your book when you come across a weed, a pest, or your plant looks sickly. I bet you'll have gorgeous flowers within a couple of months.

Re Lowe's - I had an interesting talk one day with the garden manager at my Lowe's. She explained that each Lowe's allows their managers to decide which plants to buy and what to put on discount. In addition, Lowe's buys the plants outright as opposed to HD which only pays the growers for the plants that sell in the store.. This explains why usually only the newest plants at HD look good, as they have no incentive to care for them - they just return them - seems odd, but I guess if you're a big box store, you can get what you want. This is why, if I'm going to buy at a chain, it will be Lowe's because they do have the incentive to care for what they've bought. Does this make sense? Anyhow, probably more than you wanted to know! lol Hester

I also have hybrid seed, perhaps we could exchange seed until my young plants are suitable to take cuttings from. I have a large selection (about 30 varieties of 'garden hibiscus') but my 'American' sort are still young plants only purchased during the last half year or so. Tylene and Byron Metts have flowered, Germ Geller is about to, but the flowers are bigger than the plants so for the moment cuttings of this sort of variety is impossible. For your information there are at least three suppliers of the new hybrid hibiscus in Europe. I have plants from two of them. You may be interested in going to the forum on www.infojardin.com and the subsection 'Hibiscus' which is very active and has lots of photos.