These two red hibiscus blooms look like eyes looking skyward. This shrub is outside our window. It's one of many hibiscus plants in Wildewood Springs.
I took these two photographs while on an afternoon walk.
The National Gardening website is full of interesting information about hibiscus:
Hibiscus is in the mallow family.
They are large, deciduous shrubs or small trees with dark-green leaves and can grow to 15 feet.
They produce huge, colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers over a long season. Blooms range from yellow to peach to red. Some species have double blooms.
Hibiscus is also called Chinese Hibiscus, Japanese Lantern, Rose of Sharon, and Tropical Hibiscus.
They attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
They like full-sun and well-drained soil.
"When hibiscus are in their blooming stage, they require large amounts of water. Your hibiscus will need daily watering in warm weather. (And inch a week.) But when it cools, hibiscus needs far less water and too much water will kill or make it sick. In the winter, water your hibiscus only when the soil is dry to the touch. " (Tips for Caring for Hibiscus).
Our landscape keepers remind us to carefully choose which plants to group. Knowing the needs of the Florida landscape helps us conserve water used in irrigation as well as promote healthy gardens.
