Don't you hate it when....

[Scrapinthehat]

Don't you hate it when trying to be smart about where to plant...you know....so as to give everything enough space, but the plants in question have such a huge size range for growth that there is no way of really knowing what to do.

I find this very frustrating. I understand that you will get different results based on zones and even micro-climates, but geez. I just bought a "Clown" Hibiscus and the label reads 3'-4', but various sites online say 3'-7'...yikes...quite the range when on a city lot.

Anyone else in zone 4 successfully grow a Hibiscus? How about any "Clown" growers out there? Honestly...sometimes a feel like a clown impersonating a gardener . Any help here greatly appreciated.

[Pansy]

I'm not a z4...I'm a 5b,but I put a double sized rose coller on

my Hibiscus & stuff it with straw for the winter.

Hope this helps.

[Eeyore]

Look at the zone range for your hibiscus. If it says zones 3-7, assume it will be it's largest in zone 7 and at it's smallest size in zone 3.

[A Closet Canuck]

Lyn makes a good point. I find better information about ultimate size by googling non-profit and university sites than reading plant labels. Nurseries, IMHO, tend to be a bit optimistic or dishonest, depending on one's perspective.

One can get these results by limiting one's search to .edu and .org. For hibiscus the google search would like like this:

Hisbiscus Diana site:edu

Hisbiscus Diana site:org

Often, these sites will describe the limitations on size and growth that occurs in various settings.

Hope this helps.

[Eeyore]

Great information Trish! Thanks!

[Scrapinthehat]

Thanks Lyn and Trish...both really great advice. I'll be googling those pretty darn quick.

Edited to add:

Lyn...do you grow Hibiscus?

[Eeyore]

No, I don't. Until now I haven't had room but I may look into it. I think they'd be a bit tender here.

[Scrapinthehat]

Yeah...I think I may be pushing it here too. If a plant is a reliable/hardy zone 4 I seem to do ok. It's when it is 4...pushing 5...that I have problems no luck. Then again, if I actually protected my plants they would have a better chance of survival.

[patty]

Unless I'm misunderstanding the OP, I would think the type of soil you have, compared to soil where the plant originates would have more to do with size then zone. JMO.

[Scrapinthehat]

Makes sense Patty. Do you happen to know where the Hibiscus originates?