Hi Peg, debbiep recently sent me some seeds for Hibiscus sabdariffa, and they are currently on their way to me. Perhaps she still has a few seeds left to trade. Maybe drop her an email and see? In my experience, Roselle hibiscus really does need Zone 8/9 unless you want to baby it. Hibiscus acetosella (false roselle) is a bit less cold sensitive, but not much less! If you put it right up next to a (well-heated) house along the south wall, and cover it with a cheap polyester blanket whenever frost threatens, it might survive. That is how I kept a few "Zone8" plants such as Angelonia gardnerii, non-hardy hibiscuses, and cannas alive when I used to live in Zone 7B. :) Or, you could keep it in a 5 gallon pot so you can bring it into a protected area like a garage in winter. That's what I used to do with my "Zone 9" plants when I was in Zone 7B. I happen to have some Hibiscus acetosella 'False Roselle' seeds for trade, if you'd like them. :) In my local markets, dried H.acetosella flowers are sold interchangeably with dried Roselle flowers. I use them interchangeably in my herbal tea. These 2 plants are said to have similar culinary and medicinal uses by my holistic health practitioner. Hibiscus acetosella 'Red Shield' is an attractive indoor plant, so it will look pretty while it's inside for the winter. :) Other GW members who have Roselle listed for trade include: Aserachi Geraniumlover Pinkangel420 Hope that helps! :) Here is a link that might be useful: hibiscus roselle search results

duh...forgot to post the recipe: 2 cups (2 ounces) jamaica flowers 3/4 cup granulated sugar (or more as desired) Bring 6 cups of water to a boil then add the flowers and the sugar and stir continuously while the mixture boils for one minute. Pour into a noncorrosive bowl and steep for 2 hours. *Note: this flower will stain so don't use a bowl that will stain. Strain the mixture through a sieve pressing on the flower solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Taste for strength and sweetness. If it is too potent, add water or if too tart add more sugar. Cover and refrigerate until time to serve. Really, though, check my link above, where this recipe came from. Nice photos. And buy the flowers at your local ethnic market, if you can. Another favorite drink is agua fresca sandia. It is pure heaven! Anytime I happen upon a Vallarta market that has a deli, I ask for it. It means "watermelon fresh water". Here's the recipe: Agua de Sandía (Watermelon) A favorite with kids, this drink is similiar in preparation to the one made with cantaloupe. However, because of the consistency of the fruit, the proportions are different. It requires longer blending time than other aguas, in order to break up the seeds, which are then allowed to settle to the bottom before being transferred to a serving pitcher. Since the seeds are spread throughout the fruit, rather than in a seed sac, this is a much easier method than trying to seed watermelon. If the melon is a very sweet one, taste before adding sugar; it may not need much, if any. Ingredients: 1½ cups diced watermelon, without rind 5 cups water 1/4 cup sugar Preparation: Put the diced watermelon in the blender with 2 cups of the water. Blend until the black seeds break up (about 1-2 minutes.) Let the ground seeds settle to the bottom, then pour the liquid into a pitcher, leaving the seeds in the blender to be discarded. You will not need to use a strainer. Add the rest of the water and the sweetener. The recipe came from the link below. Here is a link that might be useful: Aguas frescas

I have H. sabdariffa, Double Purple datura and a single white fragrant datura seeds to trade. My H. acetosella seeds never came up, and I think they may have been bad seeds. I got them from a government program, and thought they looked rather small, but planted them anyway, with no success. I'm trying to turn my yard into a food forest, and this is one of the plants I want to make a hedge of sorts with. Please email me with offers. Thanks!

I have many of these shrubs and can give you lots of large cuttings which root very, very, easily. I'm in NW Hillsborough...I think you've been to the swaps that use to be at my house?? I haven't been active on the site here in years, just now getting back to it. Lori