Hi, I have 1 Hibiscus Pink Packet that someone gave me. I don't know if it's "hot pink or 8" blooms," but I can send it out to you. Please let me know. laagarden

Well, it seems like a lot, but only clout when it didn't work salt and spot treatment. I did much research, and apparently this caluflower growth is common, not sure if bacterial or viral (uk newsletter) but did have thin white thread from center, which another poster noted as well. They usually don't survive these growths, what ever they are, but he is ok... and it has not re-occured. I try not to use meds, but when desperate. Well, he is fine now... no new growth (knock on wood).. I agree, salt and easy does it.. but if parasitical then..... PS. at my local store, I noticed they come in medicated, water was blue. I didn't know this. I just got there one day when fish came in. I was pretty astounded at how rudely they were treated, after all they had just been through. Tossed, no regard at all. (They could use mild salt instead without as much harm during transport)... at mine they are pretty cruel... dump them in after washing them off in tap water rinse, no temp adjustment or anything! Just pour bag into net with fish, then rince off, like dishes. Then dump in tank. They have huge die offs. When they clean, they run a hose into tank and some guy who doesn't know squat, once had temp over 90 degrees. They scalded a poor Oscar. I have actually decided just tonight, that sans a good dealer and good water, (seems hard in NYC - best outer boroughs which is hard for me to get to) I will wind things down. I never had these problems when younger, never. I know the water is bad, is brown and have always used a shower filter, and age mine for aquariums in addition. I never drank the tap water, had it tested once and horrible.

Skye, I have tried growing them, but don't have success with all types of lavatera. Their enemy is a mixture of prolonged heat and humidity, especially at nights. So they would do far better for you than I as you are "cool" zone 8. They should grow about 3x3 for you with pink flowers. They do grow fairly rapidly. GGG

Hey gg, long time no talk :-) The bed is fairly narrow (18" +/-)but they can grow through the fence on the backside (2x2x6' vertical cedar on 4" centers)and grow out over the curbing on the lawn. I'm OK with an overhang as long as I can get the mower by down low. It is probably a bit narrow for them but I figured that I could do some selective pruning to keep them in line. The bed is about 24' long. I was thinking the "fluff and aloofness" of the lavatera and the mint would be a nice counterbalance to the flat climbers behind and between. Besides, the rest of the front yard was getting too formal and serious for a happy go lucky guy like me. I've got a Darlow's Enigma coming for one spot and have a number of clematis ranging from dark blue to red to white called out for the other spaces. I have 8 of these 6' fence sections built now in this run and this 24' section is kind of in the middle. I agree that maybe I won't feed the lavateras unless they tell me otherwise and just feed the mint like all the rest of my perennials. While I've got you though, I'm still struggling with what to circle that fountain with. The pool is a 3 block high stackstone circle with about a 9' diameter. I'm wanting a long blooming mixed color blast with max height about 8-12". The last thing I've been considering is portulaca. This will get a little bit of oversplash but not a huge amount. Any suggestions? This is right across from the section with the lavateras. The lawn between is a small kidney shape that wraps around the backside of the fountain pool. This little bed is about 18" all the way around the fountain.