This is not my garden, but if you remove the background structure, it very well could be. I've just bought hibiscus syriacus "Bluebird," which is seen to the right of the photo.

I've got the tall white phlox, perovskia, iris instead of crocosmia (although no red, just blue, purple and yellow) and many other plants similar to those shown. Like Brooke (and not surprisingly), I go for the overblown English cottage garden look. One of these days I shall have Sweetie scan in some photos of my David Austin roses.

I've had a hibiscus syriacus "Diana" (white) for about seven years and it's been a dependable shrub here in central NC, planted directly into clay soil. All the care it's needed so far has been an annual late winter pruning--back to just above the 2nd bud on each branch. I plan to get the purple one next, forget the name. And I wouldn't mind the "Blue River," which is another tpe of hibiscus--has blooms 12" across! If you need a deciduous shrub in front of some evergreens and your climate will allow it, try a hibiscus.

"Diana"

Best of all, hummingbirds love the blooms and you don't have to worry about drowned ants and mouldy feeders.

I found the purple one--"Minerva."

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2001

Answers

Ooooooooh! Aaaaaaaaah! Very Pretty! I've only seen the blue and lavendar shades in photos, not in real life. . . I've had several varieties of hibiscus, all acquired through seeds/starts from friends, so I was never quite certain just 'which' ones I had. Mine were all shades of red or deep pink, with deep red throats and blooms the approximate size of salad plates. The hibiscus I had were quite hardy, even through the harsh midwestern winters we had, and one bush in particular seemed to thrive on being "weed-whacked" to the ground annually by my "X". Can't wait to hear how your newest addition fares, and would LOVE to see some pictures!

Yup, the first picture looks a lot like my front yard did back in KC. . .

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2001

Just beautiful.

The blue flower is not as common as reds and pinks and yellows. In nature, I mean.

yellow, red, white, are the most common, I think I read, and blue is way down the list.

I have one yellow hibiscus, called The Hula that has large flowers on it, likedinner plates. A not too sturdy plant, it tends to lean as it grows. I hate to prune it because it takes so long to get the flowers again. The pink one seems to be doing the best, it gets tall and bushy and blooms more than any other.

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2001

Here ya go, Barefoot: Scientific Name: Hibiscus 'Hula Girl'

Genus: Hibiscus

Family: Malvaceae

Plant Type: Bushy flowering plants

Growing Ease: Intermediate

Flowers: Spring and summer

Lighting Exposure: East or West

Light Levels: Bright indirect light

Temp.: Warm

Humidity: Moderate humidity

Mist plant daily

Water: Keep soil moderately moist

Potting Mix: All purpose potting mix

Repotting: Repot each spring upon new growth.

Propagate: Tip cuttings

Fertilizer: Once a week apply high potassium fertilizer during active growth

Watch For: Scale, spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs

Seasonal Care: Reduce water, allowing soil to become almost totally dry between waterings.

Note: Prune regularly to maintain bushiness. In spring trim to within 6" of base. Place outdoors in summer.

'Course, in your part of the world, you don't have to worry too much about cold weather! (The other hibiscus aren't tropical.)

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2001

I just put in one of these. "Graham Thomas" by David Austin.

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2001

What extraordinary color Graham Thomas has! Not an apricot, and not a "true" yellow, either. . .more of a pastel egg-yolk color. I've not seen that one before. . .That's gorgeous! David Austin are my personal favs. . .

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2001

Thanks Git, that's the one, but I am NOT going to be misting it everyday. It grows or it dies, I ain't babying it. LOL

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2001

I do believe they mean you have to mist it if you keep it indoors in dry central heat over the winter. From my trips to Miami, I'd say Nature usually does plenty of misting down there. It's not the heat, it's the humidity.

The Graham Thomas rose is supposed to be one of Austin's best, named for a famous Brit plant fellah. I understand it grows pretty tall and is fairly sprawly, but that's okay; I gave it plenty of room. It may not be as yolky as it looks because the heat here will lighten it considerably. My favorite for form, color, perfume and performance is still "Abraham Darby," an excellent performer despite the three- to four-week invasion of Japanese beetles every year. It flowers early, has a very attractive fountain shape and, like most Austin roses, is vigorous and resistant to disease. I haven't the time to baby a tea rose--Austin's roses are for the relatively lazy gardener.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2001

posting a picture cause everyone else did.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2001

I miss crocus. Seems every time I get ready to put some in, something comes up (and it ain't crocus). Maybe next season. . .

I bought some more plants today :) Various tomatoes, single dwarf burnt orange zinnia, small buff speckled petunia, white salvia, Genovese basil, apple and orange mint--I forget what else.

Is there a 12-step program?

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2001

Is there a 12-step program?

Dunno. . . don't wanna know. . .

Even when I knew I was moving last year, did that prevent me from putting out some stuff at the old house? Nooooooo. . .

I can quit any time I want to. I just don't want to. . .

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2001

I forgot to mention that I also went to Costco and actually did not indulge myself in an excellent buy on Leyland Cypress (5-gall, $13). But I did buy from there two irrigation kits so I don't have to stand in the summer heat to water. I bought a wonderful soaker hose system at a yard sale last year--it takes care of the whole front yard and one of the side yards. These mini-systems will take care of pots and my raised beds for tomatoes. I could use a couple more but these three systems will save me a ton of time and unpleasant sweating. Water conservation? Oh, yeah, that too.

BTW, at Big Lots, neither the Hungarian nor I bought anything Made in China, not even the good buy on plant hanger poles. Gosh, I feel so noble. Nothing like a good wallow in self-satisfaction :)

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2001