Hibiscus are ornamental plants that can bloom all-year-long in the tropics. One of my research finding indicated that hibiscus do not tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees F. However, I am aware that they have been tolerant of lower temperatures in our southern states and further south as Florida. If you grow hibiscus in the northern U.S., plant them in containers to bring inside during winter time and then place them back outside during the summer months.
 
The yellow hibiscus is the Hawaii’s state flower. Haiti called hibiscus in general their national flower and other countries call specific kinds of hibiscus their own as well. Historically, hibiscus has been used by different cultures as medicine for several conditions. Some countries even make tea out of the petals for the same “medical” reasons. However, in general, this plant is a true champion in the garden that doesn’t require much attention and if you live in a tropical area, it will give you flowers all year long.
 
Hibiscus Stats:
 
Annual: in cold winter areas
Perennial: in tropical and subtropical areas, hardiness in zones 4-10. Also, there is a perennial hibiscus variety.
Deer Resistant: According to US Department of Agriculture Deer loves perennial hibiscus.
Full Sun: Yes
Partial Sun:  Yes
Shade: No   
Bloom Time: all-year-long in the tropics only.  
Color: Flower colors range from white, yellow and orange to scarlet and shades of pink.
Size:  Large as big as 6” wide and colorful, great for flower arrangements too.
Water Needs: Low water need
Good Companion Plants: This depends on which variety you plant.  You can purchase a plant that will become a woody shrub in a year or two. Or you can purchase a plant that has been professionally trained as a small tree.  

​The other day I walked to my neighbor James home, (James is under 20 years old and he is already an avid gardener) and asked him if I could take a photo of this super huge sunflower. He let me do it and I want to share it with you today.
 
If you happened to walk or drive by and see one of these majestic flowers on your way, stop and enjoy the view. They are gigantic and there is no way you can miss them. They are also a great source of food for birds, squirrels, humans and God knows what other creatures. These are the findings of my stats researched.
 
Annual: Yes, therefore, you must purchase your seeds in the garden center and plant them in the ground once the danger of spring frost is past.
Hardiness:   Will not survive the winter.
Deer Resistant: Unfortunately, no, deer’s, squirrels and birds love the seeds as well.   
Full Sun: Yes
Partial Sun:  No
Shade: No   
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall     
Color: Yellow
Size:  It can grow from 7 feet tall and beyond and the circumference of the flower can measure 25” plus.
Water Needs: Low water needs
Good Companion Plants: Any plant that grow smaller than this.

​I happily “met” Zinnias about 8 years ago while I was attending a football game at a school in Frederick, Maryland. I was immediately in love with what I saw.
 
As I was enjoying the huge Zinnia garden in front of the school, a woman approached me to talk about these flowers.  I told her that I did not know what they were. She told me that she was an avid gardener and gave me an educational session about them. Then, she stepped in the garden, grabbed few dead flowers in various colors and said, “there, now you can save these seeds in an air tight container and plant them at home next year, enjoy them furiously and don’t forget to share your flower seeds with others to keep the joy of these beauties alive.
 
She was right, I followed her directions and I have been enjoying Zinnias ever since.
 
Now, I want to share with you how easy it is to grow them and how nice they will look in your gardens as well as cut flowers throughout your home. Now, later on don’t forget to share your seeds with others, SMILE!
 
PLANT INFORMATION
 
Annual: It will not survive winters.
Hardiness: They go from seed-to-flower-to seed every year.
Drought Tolerant: Yes
Butterflies and Hummingbirds Magnets: Yes
Maintenance: Low, just deadhead to produce more flowers.
Deer Resistant: All materials that I have read claims that Zinnias are deer resistant.     
Plant in Full Sun: Yes
Plant in Shade: No
Bloom Time: From mid-summer until frost.     
Color: Come in all colors, including bi-colors and tri-colors, except blue.
Size: The dwarf kind grows from 6”- 8” height and the regular grows up to 3”.
Water Needs: Low water need.
Plant Problems: Powdery mildew and leave spots in wet summers.
 
How to save your seeds to plant ZINNIAS next year and to share with friends:
 

1. Let the flower dry on the stem completely.
2. To release next year seeds, do this. When you collect the seed heads crush them with your hands lightly.
3. Store the seeds in a cool dry place and label them by color and type. 

​Now this is the kind of flower that anyone can grow; no knowledge of gardening required. Daylilies are tough guys that tolerate a lot of poor conditions. They don't care much about the soil or lack of water and they are not troubled by your regular garden pests or diseases. 

The best feature about these gorgeous flowers is that they are perennials and come back every year to our gardens without any fuss. There is one caveat though, just like their name, most of them open up in the morning and die at the end of the day. The good news is that there are approximate 8-10 flower buds in each stem, therefore, you will always be enjoying at least one flower per day for about a couple of weeks while they are productive during the season, that is early summer.

One last thing, I am not even going to attempt mention the myriad of varieties available to you now. They come in all colors and all sizes. I assure you that they are going to become your favorite flower, smile. If you don't have one, run to the garden center now and get your share of Daylilies. The more the merrier!