Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Night surprise

It's been so hot lately, in the 90s every day, that I have to walk Sophie pretty late. Happily, our altitude means it cools off tolerably once the sun goes down (and makes it possible to sleep comfortably). It's so peaceful after dark, but not quiet; crickets and cicadas are in full chorus. I love that sound.

I rarely use the flash on my camera (too harsh, usually), but tonight it allowed me to capture this lovely hibiscus bloom. I had no idea hibiscus could grow here! But this shrub was lush and full of flowers. I Googled and found there are indeed hardy varieties that can survive down to zone 4 (I'm zone 5). Another garden addition to contemplate.

9 comments:

  1. Very pretty. I wonder how the zones will be changed, in a few years? We're in 4, but our weather sure hasn't been very 4ish recently.

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  2. That's a good point. I hadn't thought about zones changing with global warming. However, while your average temps may be rising, the zone is based on the absolute coldest it can get. Even if you have fewer nights at, say, minus-10, you're still hitting that low. So I would guess the zones will still hold true for a while.

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  3. I love the photo! I have one this very same color that surprised me in my garden just last week! The bush always dies down to the ground during the winter and I cut it off like it isn't even there. Then it grows back over 3 feet during the growing season and produces those lovely flowers!

    BTW, I've added you to my "Worth Visiting" links on my blog because I love your blog! Thanks!

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  4. How very apt that garden related things are on your mind I've tagged you for the 7 random garden facts meme

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  5. Beautiful hibiscus! One of mine has its first bloom today. I love them.

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  6. Wow, I feel so popular! Thanks for the link, Cindy!

    Hmmm, garden facts. I'll have to cogitate on that one, Karen. Thanks for the tag!

    Kris, are your hibiscuses (hibisci?) white?

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  7. I had one that was white with a pink or red center - but it didn't survive. Right now I have a dark pink, 3 dark red, and a yellow that I haven't seen bloom yet. It's so fun to live in zone 4 Minnesota and have tropical plants coming back each year and blooming. I love the white one in your photo and may have to see if I can find it here - and a place to put it! (Don't know the plural - I just use "hibiscus" for everything!)

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  8. Looking at your photo again, I think my white one had more red or pink in it - but maybe it was like this one?? Not sure why it didn't make it - might have had it planted too closely to another one (which is now huge - it gets over 6 feet tall each year).

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  9. Kris, I love the photos of them on your site. If they can survive in Minnesota, no wonder they can do well here, too. A friend and I walked by this one again last night, and it smelled heavenly.

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