Hibiscus

[GRA]

Last summer we happened to stop at a garage sale near Ashby and the people that lived there had several hibiscus plants growing next to their house. The wife was really impressed with the large red flowers on them. She wants to start some from seed next spring. Was wondering if its hard to keep them alive thru Minn. winters? Do you need to pile alot of compost on them? Thanks

[Walleye Guy]

There are varieties of hibiscus that survive MN winters. However the ones with the large red flowers generally do not. I have a11 yr old hibiscus in a large pot that goes outside in late may and comes in the house in October. I prune it back to a substantial degree and place it in my basement in front of a sliding glass door that faces west. It thrives during the winter. It actually blooms throughout the winter.

Check the variety of the hibiscus to see if it is Mn winter tolerant.