I'm interested in this, I'm afraid to try anything else but I heard that plants meant for wet, boggy areas still can die at first as they need "Acclimated" to the conditions.. which confuses me to no end... I was focused more on trees or something for privacy, but I lost them due to rot?? The ones meant for swamps... Let me know how it goes.. amy

Hi Ralph -- You're here in NC for good--yay! I will keep the hibiscus in position for a bit, then I can dig when you're ready for it. I'm hoping in the next two-three weeks. Could be I could leave it in place until the April 29 place and bring it then, if you plan to attend. You are also welcome to hostas and goldenrod. I'll go ahead and pot up some of the GR roots, now that I know someone wants it. I'm definitely interested in the brug. What color is it? Also, which trilliums do you have? I have cuneatum that are blooming now. Last year you traded me a black EE. I left it in the ground, though I was advised it might not be hardy enough. And I also left an Illustris out because i was told they hang on pretty well through the winter. Whaddya think about the black one? If it doesn't come back, and you have a root to spare, I'd be happy for another. It was one of my faves in the garden last year. Really gorgeous, though I put it too close to the front of the border. You'd think I'd have been industrious enough to dig it up for winter, but things got away from me!

In their native range (so this may not be true for all the cultivars) H.H. are found in marginal areas like wetlands and drainage areas. Pretty much the same conditions that would suit other marginal/bog species like Blue Flags or cattails, including being flooded or drying out from time to time...now once they are estabilished they can hold a good amount of water in their fleshy roots so they can adapt to drought contions. The newer ones may be different, but my southern bells and Blue River II's seem to tolerate pretty much anything, but grow faster when they have good amounts of water...

Ed, its too late in your zone to plant it now and absolutely know it will make it thru the winter. Unless you really mulch it well. Your hardy hibiscus will easily make it through the winter next year. Just keep it in your sun room or porch til the spring and then plant it outside. It might bloom, but probably not. The rose of sharon also, very hardy, You can plant that out next spring too if you want. Almost all hardy hibiscus will live in the ground down to zone 4 with mulch.