9.9.12

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" Rose of Sharon by garden muses: a Toronto gardening  blog
Hibiscus syriacus "Red Heart"

Hibiscus syriacus "Lavender Chiffon" Rose of Sharon by garden muses: a Toronto gardening  blog
Hibiscus syriacus "Lavender Chiffon"

Hibiscus syriacus "Lavender Chiffon" Rose of Sharon by garden muses: a Toronto gardening  blog
Hibiscus syriacus "Lavender Chiffon" backlit

Hibiscus syriacus "China  Chiffon" Rose of Sharon by garden muses: a Toronto gardening blog
Hibiscus syriacus "China Chiffon"

Hibiscus syriacus "China  Chiffon" Rose of Sharon by garden muses: a Toronto gardening  blog
Hibiscus syriacus "China Chiffon"

Hibiscus moscheutos "Luna Rose" by garden muses: a Toronto gardening blog
Hibiscus moscheutos "Luna Rose"

Hibiscus moscheutos "Kopper King" by garden muses: a Toronto gardening blog
Hibiscus moscheutos "Kopper King"

Hibiscus moscheutos "Luna White" by garden muses: a Toronto gardening blog
 Hibiscus moscheutos "Luna White"


High Voltage tropical hibiscus Allan Gardens Conservatory by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
"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+

1 comment:

  1. Great post and nice images.The blog was absolutely fantastic! Lots of great information and inspiration,

    ReplyDelete

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