In case you think I was exaggerating...

[lesa]

We are usually famous for our horrible, disgusting winters! This year- basically we didn't have one. I have been wondering what the garden plants would think of that. I had very little winter kill on the roses, etc. But, I hadn't seen anything dramatic. I was just out in the garden, moving a few rocks around, and I couldn't believe my eyes! I had planted a hibiscus in the ground last summer. It was a bush type- and I treated it as an annual. Except I never got around to pulling it up in the fall. Son of a gun- there is new growth coming up from the roots!! For those of you in southern climates, I realize these things grow like weeds- but trust me this is incredible! Now, I can't wait to see if it actually flowers.

 

[thistlebloom]

Well, personally Lesa, I think we need a picture to verify...

 

[April Manier]

I never grow them because they are expensive and never come back!

I too want a photo to believe it. What a wonderful surprise!

 

[lesa]

Geez, so much for trusting your fellow gardener!! Unfortunately, it has been so long since I posted a pic- I have forgotten how to do it! I will take one, and ask DH to help me. He has shown me how to do it, a couple dozen times! Perhaps, I should write the directions down? Off to find my camera....

 

[Ridgerunner]

Lesa, personally I believe you. But for the benefit of your other "friends"

How to post pictures/avatar
http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=26838

 

[lesa]

Thanks, Ridgerunner! I appreciate the vote of confidence! I just went out and took a bunch of pics- now I am going to make them go on a garden tour!

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

lesa, that is awesome. Sooooo...I wonder, if you cut it back in the fall this year and cover it with a heavy layer of mulch of some sort if it would come back again. After all, even though it was not really "winter" this year in the North East, the ground still froze. Maybe by keeping the top protected, you can do it even in the real North East winters.

I believe you but can't wait to see pics! row

 

[thistlebloom]

Thanks, Ridgerunner! I appreciate the vote of confidence! I just went out and took a bunch of pics- now I am going to make them go on a garden tour!

See? That's all I was really trying to do was motivate you to post pix again Lesa!

 

[curly_kate]

Oh, I LOVE hibiscus! I'm glad yours came back! I'm not far enough south for the real tropical ones to grow, but I do have a couple versions of the hardier one popping back up.

 

[897tgigvib]

Lesa, sounds like there in zone 4 land you had a zone 6 winter! Don't tell your Hibiscus where it is! Let it think it's near Virginia or somewhere like that. Oh, and by the way, now that it has toughened and growing up, maybe it'll make it through more winters, especially with some help, a winter clotch cover for example.