I've had this for several years, Marg. The first one was given to me by a friend and it grew fairly rapidly and was a nice size after spending the summer outside. It lived inside for the winter for a couple of years with no problem until last winter when it and my alternanthera kicked the bucket for no apparent reason. They had the same symptoms, though - just drying out and dying bit by bit. I bought seeds last year and started another one. It hasn't grown quite so fast, though.

The flowers are pretty but they're a light-ish pink and don't stand out against the foliage very much. I tried cuttings but they didn't work so well. Never did try to get seeds, though. Oh, and i find that it flowers inside in the winter rather than outside during the summer! Darn thing!

Some of the leaves do tend to dry up and fall off. I water mine when i remember, so it gets a little dry sometime, but that happens even when it's more moist. When it's outside, i just water as i water any other containers - when needed - and with a light fertilizer.

Thanks for the info. I grew a few of them and I will bring one into the house for the winter. The write up in the catalogue says it produces large burgundy flowers - glad I asked. The light pink flowers would be a nice contrast with the leaves. My garden gets full sun all day so if the hibiscus likes it there, maybe I'll get burgundy flowers, what do you think? Marg

As i said, Marg, it doesn't bloom outside for me - or it hasn't at least. It might for you, in which case, please take pictures!

I emailed Veseys about the leaves falling off my Red Shield Hibiscus. Apparently this is normal. Here's the answer I rec'd: 'Thank you for contacting Veseys. They should be fine. The leaves should develop once the cotyledons fall off.' It's good to know that I haven't lost it! Just thought I'd pass on the info. Marg