Chinese Lantern Hibiscus

~ By Julie ~

~ When did you first acquire this plant? Early last year I bought it at the nursery

~ What led you to get it? What really attracted me was the way the lanterns hung down. They looked delicate with their red color and oriental look.

~ What type of plant is it? Its botanical name is Abutilon x hybridum and it is an Evergreen shrub with attractive maple-like leaves and an open, pendulous habit. They grow to about 2-3 meters (6-10') tall.

~ How did you plant it and into what? I planted it directly into the garden and prayed that this one would make it as the previous one had died. They are meant to be a hardy plant so I don't know what I did wrong.

~ How did it grow? This time round with a lot of talking to it and watering it every day to start with, it is now quite a large plant.

~ How did you care for it? The only care given was that I talked to it a lot *lol* and gave it the same tonic and fertilizer as given to the roses.

~ How long a period did it produce? It flowered between September and December and was very pretty.

~ What special preparation did you do for it to over winter?: We don't get snow so we don't have to worry too much. Last winter it survived with no care at all. They don't like frosts but they do tolerate -10 degrees.

~ How did you feel about this plant overall? I just loved its bell shaped flowers and even though I don't like Hibiscus plants this one attracted me.

         

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