So many hibiscus...I am loving this post! My Kopper King looks like it will have it's first blooms open tomorrow and I can't wait! My 3 Lord Baltimores are planted next to it and they are by far the hardiest of my hibiscus, they've been blooming for nearly 2 weeks now! Plum Crazy has put out 2 flowers so far. I'm not very impressed with it. It doesn't flower much and the blooms are not radiant. I've got some Southern Belles that the Japanese Beetles are devouring. They also suffer from yellowing leaves. Hibiscus is supposed to be a water-lover, but the yellowing gets worse with a good watering or downpour. Leave them dry, and the foliage looks crumpled and sad. Any ideas why?

Since I'm new to hardy hibiscus,could someone advise: 1. "HOW TO DEADHEAD" my HH? After the flower falls do I cut off the tiny stem HALF-WAY that joins to the Larger stalks or do I cut off the ENTIRE tiny stem that held the flower and is attached to the larger stalk? 2. WHEN Do I fertilize? Before, during, after Bloom? Please advise so i know How to care for these beauties. Thanks! Maudie

Bees, Plant the pots in the ground if you can for this winter. Mulch real good all around the pot, about 3 inches. If you have a more sheltered location, that is good too. You have picked the perfect plant to plant in soggy or very moist soil. Yes, they will do well there, on the side of the house where you want them. You can also grow even more from seeds if you want, you can see how easy they are, grow more next year. They get bigger every year, so I think you will be happy.

Um, we were talking about rules on another thread and whilst I feel rules are often there to be broken, I do attempt to follow a vague rule of thumb when it comes to moving, dividing or mucking about with plants...and that is - everything which flowers before midsummer can be easily moved in autumn...while plants which are late to flower (after21st June) are best left till spring. While some plants might be impervious (hemerocallis|), asters are usually unhappy to be meddled with in autumn - although I will make an exception if they are actually in full growth...as I have no qualms about lifting plants at the height of their bloom season...when they can click over back into root and vegetative growth when flowering growth is cut back. So...I would be moving the hibiscus (syriacus?) as soon as leaf break occurs in May.