As it is called in Malaysia.
And as we get even deeper into winter, I thought I'd introduce you to another plant from years ago. This is Hibiscus rosa sinensis. I first came across this plant whilst on holiday in the Mediterranean, huge shrubs they were, full of flowers. When I got back home, I bought one. Unfortunately, at the time, I was very new to growing plants, and hadn't really got a clue with this one. Somehow I managed to keep it growing for about three years, and it nearly grew to a foot high, wow!
The photo above is of a plant I grew a few years afterwards, bought from a supermarket, and as I found out later, treated with chemicals to keep its growth stunted. Not what I wanted at all. So that one didn't last long either. You can't win them all, as they say.
Hibiscus rosa sinensis is an evergreen shrub from tropical Asia, growing to a height of up to 30 feet in its natural habitat. It is also the state flower of Hawaii and the national flower of Malaysia. And one day I might grow another one.
A few weeks ago I remarked on the siskins that had arrived just in time for the RSPB Birdwatch. That's one of them above. I forgot to mention that in previous years, their arrival coincided with the start of severe winter weather, and they remained until the weather improved. Just to let you know, they are still here.
We have a bird count coming up later this month. I am excited to participate. I miss my hibiscus...it is in the basement--dormant for the winter. I look forward to those lovely blooms.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the bird count. I hope your birds join in, and don't go into hiding.
DeleteWe have had a bumper week for birds due to them coming down for the food we have put out bullfinch field fares redwings reed bunting pied wagtails to name but a few - no siskins though
ReplyDeleteWe've got no bullfinches, fieldfares, redwings, reed buntings or pied wagtails. Fancy a swap ?
DeleteThose Hibiscus have such pretty flowers but they are tough to keep going. Mine never bloom as well the second summer so I tend to treat them as annuals.
ReplyDeleteThere are hardy hibiscus and mallows available but the flowers are not as pretty as the tropical version.
The siskin has pretty markings.
I read an article in a newspaper saying that hibiscus could survive outdoors. So that's when I planted out my 3yr old hibiscus. Found out too late that the article was about the hardy variety.
DeleteWow - 30 ft. tall! I was wondering why they were treated with a chemical to stunt their growth - then I read that! Tell that bird to go away! I'm ready for spring! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm ready for spring too, but the siskins aren't, not yet anyway.
Delete30 feet tall is a whole lotta plant! It's been so freakishly warm here the robins never left. Weird!
ReplyDeleteApparently, the species only reach 30ft. in the tropics. Cultivated plants grow to about 8ft. Unless I'm growing it, in which case it's lucky to get to 1ft.
DeleteWhat a beautiful flower it is! I love the colour.
ReplyDeleteI am so envious of your Siskin, I have only ever seen a couple in my garden, they visited every day for about a week in very Wintry weather similar to how it is now. No such luck this year though!
I don't get them every year. It's either siskins or blackcaps. This year I got the siskins.
DeleteHibiskus ma cudowne kwiaty, a gościa miałaś wspaniałego w ogrodzie.Pozdrawiam. *** Hibiscus flowers is wonderful, and the guy you had a wonderful garden. Yours.
ReplyDeleteHibiscus are lovely aren't they ? That's why I'm going to try again to grow one.
DeleteWhat a wonderful gift--siskins. A visit from a beautiful bird when you most need it; in the cold of winter. Sounds like a children's book to me.
ReplyDeleteI'm torn between wanting them to stay (they are such nice little birds) and wanting them to go (spring coming)
DeleteYou really are a green thumb! We have a lot of hibiscus varieties in my country they are normally grown at household gardens. Indeed at full bloom they look fantastic. The local filipino name of hibiscus in my country is ""gumamela"
ReplyDeleteI just hope I have more success with my next 'gumamela'
DeleteJust watched a great bird show last night on PBS. The migratory routes are something else. Part of the program was on Siskins. What a small world, now I find them on your blog. Jack
ReplyDeleteWow, what a coincidence. A small world indeed.
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