What flower, plant or tree comes to mind when you envision the word “vacation”?  During this pandemic, when I have wanted to get out and experience a novel (to me) location, my mind reverts to places where I lived or visited as a child and the flora of those places.  For me, the flower that immediately pops into my head is hibiscus – red hibiscus.

Hibiscus belongs to the Malvaceae or mallow family and over 200 species exist.  In our area, I have noticed mostly Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus.  It does well in temperate zones and can grow quite large even to the size of a small tree, about 10 feet.  While it would like moist, loamy, slightly acidic soil, it will still grow in much less optimal environments with drier conditions and poor soil.  It can take temperatures down to -10 degrees Fahrenheit and high temperatures as long as the soil still has some moisture in it.  The flowers which are smaller than the tropical hibiscus, come in deep lavender, white, pink, and magenta and attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.  This type originated in China and India.

My favorite is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis which is a native of tropical Asia.  The usual plant zones for this type are 10 and 11 – tropical in other words.  This shrub wants full sun, acidic, loamy soil with adequate moisture.  It can also grow to 10 feet and to 6 feet wide.  Some of the hybrid plants can produce dinner plate-size flowers.  I have seen ‘Hula Girl' at the big box stores – big yellow blooms, and ‘Crown of Bohemia' which has orange, double blooms (for all of you orange flower lovers). 

Out on a walk a few weeks ago, I noticed a 10-foot-tall, 6-foot-wide beauty with single deep red blooms, and deep green, shiny leaves, my favorite.  It is growing mostly in the shade of a redwood tree but is still catching the afternoon, western sun on the edge of a sidewalk at an entrance to a subdivision.  This plant has found its niche.  How it and the redwood tree share enough water I don't know.  I am grateful for this transportation to a time of balmy breezes, ocean air, and a carefree, non-COVID world.  This ”vacation” in my mind is enough for now.