The main thing I don't like about hibiscus flowers is the red eye. It's not that it's ugly, it's just so commonplace with lighter colored hibiscuses--and it reminds me of Rose of Sharon, which are even more common here.
I winter sowed three of these last year from open-pollinated seed I was fast enough to grab in a group swap, and they all sprouted. Although they attempted to grow, I wasn't attentive enough to keeping away the groundhogs and deer, and they kept being chewed back. This year, though, I was much more protective--and also anxious to discover whether they would come true from seed. I was very excited when the first bloom opened pure white! I got a beautiful show from June to July. I may have gotten a longer bloom if I watered more regularly when we hit a dry spell through July, but I was happy with what I got. I did not spray these but had no rust, although some Lady Baltimore offspring (didn't come true to color) nearby did rust somewhat, in shadier conditions, and I worried it could spread.
They're still out there, getting watered more regularly, although I don't really expect more blooms. Can't wait till next year!
