Tropical Hibiscus Appreciation Posts

Hibiscus are one of the most easy to identify flowers in the world and instantly transport me to the tropics. So it's a little weird they've actually been growing fewer and fewer tropical hibiscus in favor over the years. I've given my attention instead to the beautiful perennial hibiscus that comes back every year without any special care. 

You can't blame me, right? It takes a lot of work to grow hundreds of tropical plants up north. Hardy Hibiscus have bigger flowers and more unusual leaves BUT I do have 6 tropical hibiscus this year that I am now sure I can garden without

Variegated Mahoe Hibiscus

This one proves that hibiscus isn't always about the flowers! This plant has amazing variegated foliage and is a must for any gardener who is looking for really interesting foliage. I fell in love with this plant when I went to Hawaii last January. 

In Hawaii

Mine was a super cheap $9 plant on sale when I got it from Logees in January 2023. 

The Variegated hibiscus tiliaceus is on the far right (March 2023) 

It did okay in the house until April. It seems to have higher heat and humidity requirements than other hibiscus and didn't really start growing outside a few weeks ago when our night temperatures regularly stayed in the 70s. Here are some photos from early July! 

Variegated ....

I got this one from a college plant sale. The foliage is very impressive, but I haven't had a single bloom yet. Honestly I am not too impressed, but it does look lovely in front of my Croton plant. 

I had a lot more fun with Snow Queen. I recommend that cultivar if you're looking for a prolific blooming hibiscus with variegated leaves. 

Colors & Flower Textures

Hardy Hibiscus flowers are big, but if you're looking for flowers that literally look handpainted, you need a tropical hibiscus in your life. I mean look at THIS! 

And look at THIS! It's like a peony. 

I unfortuantely was not given a cultivar name, but an Instagram friend with an incredible hibiscus collection says the first one looks like "Cajun Cocktail". Both of these were purchased from Bloomin Haus in Holtsville, NY. 

Classic Red Hibiscus 

This plant is special because it was given to me by a friend's mom in 2008 before she passed away. The red hibiscus is planted with a common pink hibiscus known as "Painted Lady". I haven't repotted it in about 10 years and it's starting to get VERY tired looking. You can look back at some of my earlier posts to see it in its prime. 

I decided to do some light root pruning. I used a scissor to loosen the entire rootball and I cut off the bottom inch of the rootball and added about 3 inches of fresh soil to the bottom and fresh soil throughout the sides. I pruned about 6 inches off all the shoots. It probably won't flower until late August, but it will be much better for it! 

Night Blooming Cereus Cactus (Cereus repandus) in bloom!

I’m normally a morning person, but I’ll make an exception once a year when my Night Blooming Cereus is in bloom! The blooms only open up for a few hours out of the whole YEAR! Cereus is pronounced like "serious", but you don't have to be a "serious" plant collector to get these to stay happy./

Botanically known as Cereus repandus, this is a true desert cactus. It’s perfect for a sunny spot where you can give it all the love or neglect you want. I prefer to give it love! This is my first year growing one so I'm not sure what triggers blooming. It grows well as a houseplant, but I think it requires hot temperatures that come with summer outside to bring beautiful blooms.

Battle of the Night Blooming Cereus

This plant is often confused with a rainforest cactus that goes by the same common name (Epiphyllum oxypetalum is the botanical name). Epiphyllum also blooms at night. It is so easy to take care of. You can see mine in the photo below - relaxing by the pond last August. 

Both plants are easy to start from cuttings. My orchid cactus in the photo above was propagated from a cutting that a lovely neighbor gave me when I was living in Florida (where they grow in the trees!)

Ephyphillum oxypetalum

 last August

My night Blooming Cereus Cactus doesn't have a strong fragrance. I was surprised based on previous comments about the plant ... so let's pump the breaks on the hype there. Ephyphillum is incredibly fragrant so maybe my expectations were just too high on the Cereus. 

Cereus Repandus bloom for comparison

I do think Cereus Repandus is overall a much easier potted plant for the average home because it grows tall and slim. 

Orchid cactus don't know how to stay in their lane. Mine is currently a beautiful prisoner trapped in a tomato cage! 

Comparing my Garden Spaces through the years

They say gardening takes patience *and it does* but transformations can happen before your eyes. That's why I love taking before and after photos of my own garden on Long Island and the garden I've grown up caring for at my parent's house on Staten Island. 

This post is about how my garden spaces have changed through the years. Later in the summer, I'll post comparisons about how much things have changed from spring to summer - honestly, I think that one will be even more exciting! 

 Move-in Day- May 2022

WHOA, how'd that get there - September 2022

My first tropical transformation is something I am so proud of! My mom actually suggested I put a banana tree where the hydrangeas are so I have to give her credit for that. She didn't have an interest in tropical plants when I was growing up, but she's taken care of so many of mine over the years that I think she's grown very fond of them! 

May 2022 - Move-in Day (notice all the plants still in the driveway)

 The Windmill Palm survived its first winter outside alongside the yucca gloriosa and a gardenia. The other plants were all new for this year. 

June 9, 2023

Look at all the growth just one month later It's just spectacular to see!

July 2022

July 2023

July 2022

I added patio furniture to the space in front of my house. 

July 2023

Along the path, I have a Trachycarpus. It's my welcome home sign, but the Vinca didn't quite work in that spot last year.

July 2022

This year I opted for Petunias and added pine bark mulch to help with moisture. I also extended my plantings along the entire length of the path.

July 2023

The backyard had a blank spot against the house that gets full, baking sunshine all day long. It's perfect for tropical perennials like ginger, cannas, and bananas. So that's what I planted!

Early July 2022

The Viente Cohol banana is so much bigger. It's growing a new leaf each week. The garden bed is lined with Dahlia in the front. The dark foliage on one side compliments the dark cannas behind the Dahlia on the other side. I love how this turned out! 

Early July 2023

Also in the photo above, I want to point out a few fun winter survivors! The cannas, Sabal Minor, and even my Southern Star Jasmine (hidden from view) all survived this past winter low of 3F flawlessly in this mild microclimate.

That sunny and hot area against my house extends to my patio. I was really excited to get a container garden going here, but last year it looked SO awkward. 

July 2022

This year I added watermelon vines to the front for a little bit more texture & put larger plumeria to fill the space better. It made a huge difference.

July 2023

My first Dark Leaf Crape Myrtle

Have you ever seen a Crape Myrtle with beautiful dark leaves? Crape Myrtles are so common in the South, but these new varieties have only been around for the past 10 years and are hardly recognizable!

This variety called “Center Stage Coral” is brand new! It's cold-tolerant and blooms earlier than other varieties. What's there not to love? So far I'm sold! Most Crape Myrtles in New York don't even begin to bloom until mid-July. Some trees wait until August! 

Center  Stage Coral grows 6 to 12 feet tall. but I can tell it has a short growth habit so I think it'll do well in this pretty white pot for a few years. I felt I'd lose a lot of the beauty if I put it in the ground.

PS: Fun fact for my Florida friends … this crape myrtle was trailed and tested at the University of Florida in Gainesville. For those of you who haven't followed along with my career, Gainesville was the first place I called home away from home. It holds a special place in my heart and is a huge inspiration for my garden! 

Late June Update from Long Island

Things are moving along! Here's an update as we enter the warmest weeks of the year. 

Bananas

 Musa Sikkimensis

Musa Viente Cohol

Musa Siam Ruby

Trailing Nasturtium

Ensete Maurell

Musa Basjoo

Brand new! Musa Mekong Giant 

Musa Sikkimensis

Canna "Red Wine"

By the Pond

Alphina Ginger and Calla

Easter Cactus

Water Lily "Key Largo"

Water Lily "Key Largo"

I decided to use a tomato cage to support my Night Blooming Cereus

Fruits

Blueberries

Watermelon "Sugar Baby" and "Mountain Sweet Yellow"

Apple Red Delicious 

Apple trees

Hardy palms

Sabal Minor

Windmill palm and yucca gloriosa

Windmill palm with Ginger "Daniel Weeks" Sprouting up"

Needle Palm

Potted plants