Could there have been a seedling in the pots and that's what's blooming now? The majority of my hardy hibiscuses are soft pink with a dark eye. They mostly come true from seed but one seedling turned out to be an intense pink with bigger flowers and different foliage - probably a throw-back to a parent of the bicolor...

Rosco_P, First, I love the name you used! Second, you are welcome. I really enjoyed taking the class it did help explain much to me as well regarding coloration of plants. And now I can pass on what I have learned.

I have had this plant for years, I love it just for the dark purple foliage. I tried to find out what it was at a nursery and was told it was a 'wild hibiscus'. I believe now that was a wrong answer. Anyway, sad thing is I lost my last plant winter 2010/2011. I have been trying to track down a replacement (seeds would be fine). Can anyone help - Please! I live in Florida, so did see the flowers, small pinky red, flower only in late season (trying to preserve their species by making some seeds). They do normally drop seeds and you get plenty of baby seedlings, but mine got frosted and I did not get to save any seeds. I had it in a pot, trying to save it over the winter, being as it was my last plant. I'm distraught that I lost that gorgeous dark purple foliage, it was a 'special' plant in a border. I would really like to get another plant or a few seeds..... can anyone help please!

I don't think you can say yet that there is a problem. Rosebuds are often a darker color, becoming lighter rather quickly as the bud opens. It would help posters give you advice on many matters if you edited your username and included your gardening zone or at least general region or state. Usually, grafted roses are grafted onto Dr. Huey. I can assure you that the color of the bud you are questioning is NOT the color of Dr. Huey. I think you may be worrying unduly about your lovely rose. Relax and enjoy! Kate