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Book now for 2012 fall cleanups, bulb planting, pruning and weeding 

Call me at 416-515-2780 or e-mail me at info (at) pauljungardening.com

Make the most of your time this autumn with Paul Jung Gardening Services!

Fall Ginkgo biloba tree in Toronto

Fall "Bloodgood" Japanese Maple 

(Acer palmatum "Bloodgood")

A rose (of sharon) by any other name...

The Hibiscus family in late summer Toronto

Quite a few readers who stumble upon this blog through a post from last year titled "Freaking floriferous! (Yes, I admit, Rose of Sharons look nice right now)" are really in love with the Rose of Sharon and perennial hibiscus blooming profusely for about 2 months in Toronto. I kind of see why the love is shown but Hibiscus syriacus hybrids aren't on my top ten list for shrubs. The blooms don't have a scent and turn to mush when they drop, there's no fruit, bazillion seedlings often appear, the shrub doesn't have a strong structure or interesting bark, etc. The H. moscheutos perennials normally bloom late in the year and often need some babying with extra mulching to get it through a harsh winter in our city. And the tropical hibiscus many buy in the spring as standards are doomed by November.

No matter. People still whisk these guys off the garden centre shelves,  like anything else blooming. 


So to satisfy those with Hibiscus fever, here are some shots I took around the 'hood.

Hibiscus syriacus "Red Heart"

Hibiscus syriacus "Lavender Chiffon"

Hibiscus syriacus "Lavender Chiffon" backlit

Hibiscus syriacus "China Chiffon"

Hibiscus syriacus "China Chiffon"

Hibiscus moscheutos "Luna Rose"

Hibiscus moscheutos "Kopper King"

 Hibiscus moscheutos "Luna White"

"High Voltage"  tropical hibiscus at
the Allan Gardens Conservatory 

By Paul Jung, author of "garden muses: a Toronto gardening blog"Google Google Find us on Google+ Find us on Google+