I've been gardening here on the coast for 35 years. Some tropicals survive just fine, though they may die back. Hibiscus, sucha as the red and pink grow quite large and survive the winters here. My question was, in other members experiences, have they know any other hibiscus to survive my climate. I have many very lovely Rose of Sharon also. It wasn't a dumb or difficult question. Most GW members would be more than glad to simply answer the questions politely.

Barbie

Barbie, first, I wasn't referring to your question. However, living on the gulf coast is much, different than living in an inland zone 8 location. The proximity to the Gulf actually makes the air much warmer, thus the strengthening of hurricanes once they hit the Gulf.

Zone 9 on the coast is considered sub-tropical, however, the zone 9 we have in the central part of Florida can be inhospitable to tropicals.

And I wasn't talking about people in zone 8 or 9, I was talking about people in zone 5 and 6, where it freezes regularly.

If you get temps that stay below freezing (especially below 28 degrees) for over 5 hours at a time, more than likely, a tropical hibiscus will not survive, and if it does, it will not thrive.

Rose of Sharon is much, much hardier than tropical hibiscus. Where I was raised, they can withstand temps of down to 0 for short periods of time, and often live through ice storms with nary a scratch. Put a tropical in those conditions, and they're toast.

Like you said, you asked for people's experience, and this is my experience.

My apologies. I see your point.

Barbie

I would point them in the direction of hardy Hibiscus Moscheutos as a substitute. They look like they should be tropical, with those huge hibiscus flowers.

No need to apologize! I probably came across as rude. Tone of voice is so hard to read into messages online. :)

There are tropical and hardy hibiscus and there are Rose of Sharon.

Zone 5 here - snow belt in SW Michigan - exceedingly cold for months in winter.

I have grown Rose of Sharon for 40 years here. No problems at all with them at all - except the Japanese Beetles like to use them as mating couches.

I was told for years that we can't grow hibiscus this far north so never tried. Just recently I was told about the hardy hibiscus. I now grow hardy hibiscus with no problem up here - my Luna Blush is over two years old and was glorious this year. Lots of people up here grow the hardy types and they come back year after year.

Tropical Hibiscus have to be taken inside here for the winter. I hear they get White Fly easily and Spider Mites. Sounds like fun.

I don't think we need rants on anything - doesn't help the blood pressure, achieves nothing and puts people off. Perhaps they should have a RANT forum.

Kiwi in Michigan zone 5

Here is a link that might be useful: 2005 FLOWERS/with hibiscus

What does anyone think this hardy 'yellow' hibiscus might be?

My guess is that it might be Manihot...which is not hardy...here in 5/6 anyway.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Hardy yellow hibiscus seed on seed exchange.